252. James Commeline, Jr. [1] to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 34.
Cowley
2. March 1827
Mr J. Commeline does himself the pleasure of sending Scales Metres [2] to Miss Barrett.
As Miss Barrett has evinced an interest in the prosodical question agitated between Mr Price, & Mr J.C, he has ventured to send her the correspondance that passed between them on that subject. For requesting her perusal to anything of Mr Prices composition, he feels that no apology is necessary—& that the best he can offer for his own is its comparative brevity. He cannot however avoid flattering himself that even in his hasty imperfect observations, Miss Barrett may find some ideas worthy of notice & if his opinions are ultimately condemned, it will be some consolation to him that he has been heard in their defence.
To some remarks on the Vowels (page 32) & to the letter (p. 301) containing a sort of resumé of his arguments Mr. J.C in preference begs the favour of Miss Barrett’s attention, if she be daunted (as in all reason must be expected) at the tremendous length of the whole correspondance[.]
Address, on integral page: Miss Barrett.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Brown University.
1. The Rev. James Commeline, Jr. followed his father as Rector of Redmarley D’Abitot after the latter’s death in 1837. James, Jr. fell asleep while reading in bed and was burned to death on 26 January 1853, aged 63.
2. We have not been able to identify a work of this title. In view of EBB’s singing prowess, the book might well have been Scales’s Vocal Harmonist, published by J. Scales [1809].
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