265.5. EBB to Uvedale Price
Addendum to The Brownings’ Correspondence, vol. 2.
Hope End
May 1st 1827.
My dear Sir,
With your M∙S. & first letter on the Charterhouse pronunciation, I send my copy of that part of your subsequent one which relates to the same subject. As the copy includes every word respecting the Charterhouse, I must be allowed to keep my own property, the original letter—which is in your handwriting, & which I have a great many unanswerable reasons for valuing. I hope my copy may prove half as legible as it is faithful; for if I were to make you suffer for having shewn me kindness, you might choose to make me suffer in future. Should you therefore be likely to be put to any inconvenience by the want of the original paper, you shall have it instantly: otherwise I know I may have my own way.
One says that Dr Russell certainly introduced the new system into the Charterhouse; but whether the system was introduced first at the Charterhouse, we do not know with any certainty, & hardly have means of ascertaining.
On looking over your letter again, it strikes me that you give too much praise to the change sanctioned by the new system; of separating consonants of the same kind. I think the separation is scarcely distinct enough to deserve your likening it to the Italian mode, & that any person, whose ear was not on the watch to detect the difference, might easily mistake Lyce for Anno Domini, after all. Tho’ I never practiced the Charterhouse mode, I have very often heard Bro read; & never did,—till you called my attention to it some time ago by your letter,—observe the separation in question. This certainly proves either a remarkably insensible ear on my side—or an indistinct pronunciation on his. I hope & believe the latter: for having put the question to Bro whether he divides the consonants in an’nus as is done in the Italian an’no, his answer is—“to a much less degree.” From what I have observed of his own practice, I should say,—in a very slight, & indeed, hardly perceptible degree.”
With our best regards, believe me
Most gratefully & truly yours
E. B. Barrett.
Publication: None traced.
Source: Author’s copy at Armstrong Browning Library.
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