257. EBB to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 41.
[Hope End]
[ca. 25 March 1827] [1]
My dearest Henrietta,
I shall write one or two lines in a very great hurry to condole, not with you, but with Mama & myself for losing you & Bro twelve hours longer, than we meant to do. Nevertheless we agree that you could scarcely come thro’ the rain, & come from so many very kind solsticitations [sic]—& hearing from Bro what pleasant hours you are spending, makes us quite glad not to see you or keep him.
You will be pleased, I think, to hear that my anxiety about Mr Price is on the wane—that I recieved his manuscript yesterday, which I should not have done, had he been seriously ill. The parcel was directed by Mr R. Price, [2] & there was not a line to me either from him or Mr Price,—but still, there is, I believe, no reason now for my being uncomfortable. Papa is not come yet—so you have no reason for being uncomfortable. There was no letter from Sam yesterday.
I have written very fast, in a great hurry—which you might have guessed,—without my telling you twice, as I believe I have done. Give our love to Mary & Ellen [3] —& every body. They are indeed very kind.
Dearest Henrietta’s
most affectionate Ba–
I am sitting in the library, full of Mr Price, & business of all kinds. Arabel is better in all but her voice. By the bye, I dont know which is the more useful, an inaudible voice or illegible writing; & I am afraid your politeness wont let you tell me. We envy you the French play—& do hope that Mrs Money (whose indisposition gives us concern) may be able to enjoy its representation. [4]
Address, on integral page: Miss Henrietta Barrett.
Publication: None traced.
Source: Transcript in editors’ file.
1. Dated by EBB’s mention of her concern about Price’s health, and of not having received a letter from him. On 1 April 1827, she wrote to him (letter 259) and acknowledged letters that arrived on 30 March—and again referred to his health.
2. Robert Price (1786–1857), only son of Uvedale Price, Member of Parliament for the County of Hereford 1818–41.
3. Mary and Ellenor Money, daughters of Henrietta’s hostess.
4. A message in the hand of Mary Moulton-Barrett follows (SD598, Appendix II).
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