2723. EBB to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 15, 37–38.
| Private | [Florence] |
[?15 March 1848] [1]
My beloved Henrietta I have been uneasy since writing to you what I did in my last letter .. all in that broken, undigested way, too. What nonsense of me! I come back to the old ground of your being the best judges in your own affairs, you & Surtees, .. & I would not for the world impel you or even encourage you to an imprudence. At the same time it is my opinion that if, as you say, you can make up an income of four hundred a year, or even somewhat less, (if you were prepared to live quietly & prudently) that you might be very happy .. happier than many who are richer. But of course the being clear of all debt should be a preliminary to everything– What I said arose from a strong feeling of its being better to cut short some of this long dreary waiting & waiting, which on many accounts is so objectionable. Four hundred a year would in my mind be ample—we should not have spent three, this last year, if it had not been for the mistake in Via Maggio about the house, .. and yet for above a month an English physician attended me, you remember .. besides Wilson’s illness, .. & we have lived at our ease in all things– I do wish & pray, my own dear, dear Henrietta, that you may come to my happiness through a less painful gate. Perhaps,—it is just possible, .. that poor dear Papa may wish to prove his gentleness to those who apply to him directly .. We do not know how circumstances may have modified his inclinations–
In the joint letter from the Hedleys, aunt Jane said .. “If Henrietta will not give up her engagement, which wd be the wiser plan, I almost think it wd be better to disclose everything at once”. She does not say much more– Uncle Hedley speaks of you very affectionately .. & says that Ibbit is like you in character, which is “his idea of perfection.”
Dont imagine that I agree about the “wisdom” of giving up engagements! They have in my eyes too much weight & sacredness .. to say nothing of your obligation of gratitude towards Surtees, whose tried & faithful attachment has a claim on you, from which I should be sorry indeed to dispense my sister. Give my love to him, & to Susan.
Robert cant write this time because there’s no room on the cover. He must wait. He has written to enquire if the Rothschilds can do something [2] .. without mentioning names of course. Dont expect too much from the Rothschilds—you shall hear of course—oh, I shd be so glad if we cd do anything.
Publication: TTUL, pp. 71–73.
Manuscript: British Library.
1. From the context of this private message to Henrietta, it appears to fall after letter 2719 and was probably enclosed in letter 2722.
2. i.e., for Surtees Cook. Presumably, RB had written to his half-uncle Reuben Browning, who worked for the House of Rothschild.
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