2769. EBB to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 15, 214–215.
[Florence]
[22 January 1849] [1]
One word to my most dear Henrietta, because it must come, when I look at her picture & think of her affection, though my thanks for the too kind presents go to her in Arabel’s letter. I want to say first .. Dont be angry at what I wrote of puseyism, because it refers only to the narrowness––& forgive me, you & Surtees, if you fancy me bigoted against bigotry. But the chief thing to say, is .. keep up your spirits, dearest Henrietta, & dont be over-vexed by this or that disappointment; not even if Sir R. Price [2] shd disappoint you, as perhaps he may. It seems a bad time for military situations, & were I Surtees I should be tempted to look round for some mercantile investment, for the proceeds of his commission, .. & were I both of you, I would’nt be too resolved as to income .. as to a particular income, I mean– Only, in these things, one cant advise another. Do you ever think of California & the gold-dust? Heaven forbid that my advice shd turn in that direction—pray dont fancy that it does. I wait anxiously for every word you can tell me, on a subject most deeply interesting to me, as you may imagine. May God bless both of you. My love to Surtees always. He has deserved well of us all, in my opinion, by his long & tried attachment to you. May God bless both of you.
Tell Arabel, that, not to make this letter overweight, I must put off to the next time, my note to Mary Hunter. Also, here is Wilson who will write to dear Minny as soon as I can give her an opportunity, to thank her for the very pretty collar, & to say how satisfied she is with what was sent, generally. Is’nt Mrs Dupuy [3] rather too near, just at present? Oh Henrietta, I do wish I could help in anything by the putting out of all my strength—but these things are to be done, I believe, only by individuals, because they understand their own powers, their own requirements, & their own willingness to take so much or so little of such a risk or such a supposed risk. Of course,—disposing of a commission without an equivalent return, is out of the question.
Your Ba as ever.
For Henrietta—Private.
Publication: TTUL, pp. 69–71.
Manuscript: British Library.
1. Dated by EBB’s reference to “Arabel’s letter” (no. 2768), with which this letter was sent.
3. Mrs. J.P. (Sophia) Dupuy was a friend of Miss Mitford’s who had recently moved from 31 Welbeck Street to 37 Wimpole Street, just opposite the Barretts.
___________________
