232. Elizabeth Moulton to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 245.
[?Hastings]
[ca. June 1826] [1]
Papa when on board the ship Elizabeth sailing for England, in the year 1892 [2] —gave this glove, wet with his tears, to Doctor Archer, [3] with strict charge to deliver it into Bessey’s own hands– This same Bessey was Granny—who has hitherto preservd it as a mark of affection—but now, as the child of the same papa, not long since, express a wish to possess this glove, it is here given up to her– may every trifle & all that concerns so good a parent, be ever dear to the hearts of his children——
EM——
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript and enclosure: Berg Collection.
1. EBB was with her grandmother for eleven months in 1825–1826. It is possible that this letter and its enclosure were handed over to her at the conclusion of that visit.
2. 1892 (for 1792) underscored twice. Felix Farley’s Bristol Journal, dated 29 September 1792, reported the recent arrival of the ship Elizabeth in Bristol from Jamaica. Evidence shows that EBB’s father Edward and his brother Samuel were on board, and probably also their sister Sarah. Since an “S” is embroidered on the glove, it must actually have belonged to Samuel or Sarah. Nevertheless it is wrapped, with the letter, in a plain sheet of paper on which EBB has written: “My beloved Papa’s glove.”
3. Possibly James Archer, D.D., who was a chaplain in London in 1791 and the author of several volumes of sermons.
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