296. EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 129–130.
Hope End.
Saturday Morning. [Docket: April 1828]
My dear Sir,
I was provoked when I came home on Thursday, to find that my unusual absenteism [sic], had prevented my taking advantage of the opportunity, & replying immediately to your letter. Certainly it was “very kind in you to take so much trouble”—& the less disinterested your motive was, the more reason I have for being obliged to it. It was also very kind in Mrs Boyd to allow us to profit from her local knowledge. We had however nearly concluded the business before your letter arrived, & have now quite determined upon taking Bradley Cottage at Great Malvern. [1] Give me credit for being extremely pleased!–
I am forced to write in a great hurry this morning, that I may not miss an opportunity of returning two of your books. With regard to the Classical Journal, you, of course, do not like the new construction of the passage in Romans. I do not either. I think it is (with all its ingenuity) very forced. Bear with my conceit, in thinking anything about the matter!–
I like Hermann now & then—tho’ perhaps he has more prolixity and mysticism than he might have had. There seems nothing new, & something not quite correct in the Article on the Theology of the Ancient Greeks [2] —but I am too hurried to explain what I mean—or what the objector meant by his term “physical experiment”.
Do not imagine that I could think of being ceremonious with you. If you would trust Gregory with me a little while, & direct me to what you consider his finest passages, I should be delighted. I am anxious to be acquainted with one whom you once distinguished by calling “your favorite, of all Greek writers,—& consequently of all writers whatever”.
Forgive me my incoherency this morning,—& believe me ever
Yours most sincerely
E B Barrett.
Address, on integral page: Hugh Stuart Boyd Esqr
Docket, in unidentified hand: April 1828.
Publication: EBB-HSB, pp. 34–35.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. Reference to Bradley Cottage indicates that this was written after the previous letter. Sam wrote Henrietta on 8 May (SD655): “Treppy is going to send off some of there luggage by the waggon directed to Bradley Cottage Great Malvern, now she wants you if that is not the name of the house you must … go to the waggon office and have the things taken care of till sent to the right house.”
2. These references identify The Classical Journal EBB was returning as No. LXXIII (March 1828). The article on Romans 8:28–31, “showing that the Passage is altogether incapable of its usual acceptance,” was on pp. 108–118. An article by Hermann, “De Differentia Prosæ et Poeticæ Orationis Disputatio,” appeared on pp.79–89, and “The Theology of the Primitive Greeks” on pp. 102–107.
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