271. EBB to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 78–79.
[Eastnor Castle]
[ca. October 1827] [1]
My dearest Henrietta,
As I left my petticoat & pound note, besides you, behind me, you wont fancy that I got here without an Eastnor flurry. I found only Lady Somers [2] in the library. The Martins [3] had just arrived, the dinner bell was just about to ring, so I was conducted forthwith to my bedroom. Lady Somers made many apologies about its size—the house being very full, & about to be much fuller. And really in spite of the size of this room which is more diminutive than my former ones, I like its tower windows, carpeted floor, large fire, & tent bed—two yards distant from the fire, very much indeed. As I was beginning to dress, Lady Margaret came in, in equal disattire, to see me,—& spoke in so kind & even affectionate a manner that I could not help being pleased. After talking a little while she began to regret her inability to ask me to stay longer than Tuesday, on account of their inundation of company; upon which hint, I mentioned that you were going to send for me on Monday, a day I had fixed upon as the limit of my visit. She would not hear of such a plan; saying “I must insist on your keeping your previous promise of remaining with us till Tuesday”. So what could I do but acquiesce? & this I did do.
Mr & Mrs Martin, Mr & Mrs Hanford, [4] some unknown Gentleman, Mr Cocks, [5] & the Eastnors [6] are our party at present; & Mr Webbe [7] dined here yesterday. Today, I hear there is to be a great addition, but of what commodoties [sic] I have no notion.
There was a good deal spoken last night about the Bazaar [8] —& I can give you the following information.
1st Lady Somers & Lady Margaret seem much surprised at Mr Watt’s opposition,—which Lady M. said she could not understand.
2d. I have no doubt about their attending it .. & you need have none.
3d You must put a moderate price on your contributions or you will be grievously reprehended. Lady Somers “cannot bear to be imposed upon”,—& indeed her purchases at Hereford are “exorbitant.” Now I dont want you to cheat Lady Somers,—but mind dont cheat the bazaar!
Tell Bro, Lord Eastnor thought he shot better towards the close of the day—so he may keep up his spirits to finish his dog. Mr Webbe asked me if my brother did not shoot very well—& I made my usual reply .. “very well .. in a rabbit warren.” The Evening went off rather heavily yesterday: I wished myself at home a hundred times, tho’ every body was kind. This has been written in such a jumbling out-of-breath manner, that before you get to the end of it, you will think me mad. Mind write—& tell me every thing—about Mama’s rheumatism particularly. Occyta was quite sorry when I went away, after all! Tell him I found him out. God bless you all–
Your most attached Ba–
I shall write perhaps tomorrow. I think Mrs Martin will go to the Bazaar.
Address, on integral page: Miss H Barrett. / Hope End.
Publication: None traced.
Source: Transcript in editors’ file.
1. This and the following three letters were written after EBB had begun corresponding with Boyd (who is mentioned in letter 274) and before the start of her mother’s serious illness. She did not make any lengthy visits during that illness. These facts, and mention of fire by both EBB and Henrietta, indicate the late autumn of 1827.
2. Margaret, Countess Somers (1760–1831), daughter of the Rev. Treadway Russell Nash.
3. James Martin (1778–1870), a member of the banking family, and his wife Julia (née Vignoles, 1793?–1867?), who lived at Old Colwall, adjacent to the Hope End estate.
4. Charles Edward Hanford (1781–1854) and his wife Elizabeth (née Martin, 1783–1844), of Woolashill Hall, about 14 miles east of Hope End.
5. James Somers Cocks (1790–1856), Lady Margaret’s brother.
6. John Somers Cocks (1788–1852) and his wife Caroline Harriet (née Yorke) had adopted the courtesy titles of Viscount and Viscountess Eastnor in 1821, on the creation of the Somers earldom.
7. Richard Webb, of Donnington Court, 3m. from Ledbury.
8. Henrietta was greatly involved with a charity bazaar about to be held at Ledbury. In June, she had written to her cousin Angela Bayford to ask about a church bazaar in Chelsea, in which Angela had participated. Angela’s reply of 23 June 1827 (SD630), described how she and her family had worked to invent “ingenious contrivances for uniting ornament with utility” and said that her mother highly approved of the work as “a most delightful means of turning accomplishments to some good account.”
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