318. EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 164–165.
Hope End.
Wednesday. [Docket: 6 August 1828]
My dear friend,
You are too kind to send me a copy of your work on the Atonement, when so few remain,—but if my valuing the gift can render me in any degree worthy of it, it has not been quite thrown away. I once wrote a letter in which I franky told you the opinion I ventured to entertain with regard to this production, [1] —and I will not teaze you with any more “it may be doubted”s. As a doctrinal work, I do question its probable utility—its general utility; and yet I could not help being delighted with the acuteness & fervour, pervading the line of argument & style of composition. I never closed a volume of yours with greater respect for the talents of its writer, than was excited in my mind by a perusal of the little volume in question—which is now placed in the good company recommended to it, by your note.
I have finished the Parriana—but not the work on Junius. [2] The former volume is interesting,—displaying, nevertheless, an unquestionable talent for bookmaking. Mr Barker seems to have adopted Dr Parr’s own plan of compilation, as executed in the “Characters of Fox”: [3] I think that the matter might have been advantageously compressed,—& some of the extracts from periodical works advantageously omitted. I admire very much the fairness & candour of the Editor, & his devotion to truth, in great & little things: & it is among my regrets that he should appear so much in an Editorial capacity,—& so seldom as an Author, in the course of his thick volume. How you can avoid “wading” I cannot imagine,—you had better determine to “go with the stream”,—for nothing, in politeness, has power to save you!
The passage at page 286, beginning at the bracket, continuing to the end of the chapter, is Mr Barker’s defence of Dr Parr’s theological views. I think it is very well done,—very ably & very fairly. Do read it. I think you will be amused with the story about Porson, at page 543. [4]
If you should go thro’ the book, you will discover that there was not a mere campanalogical sympathy between yourself & Dr Parr. You are fond of cats. He was fond of a cat,—which used to sit upon his shoulder. Whether his taste was universally extended, like yours,—or yours particularly applied, like his, I have no means of knowing categorically.
I cannot hope to see you this week,—& whether I may see you in the ensuing one, depends entirely on my beloved Mother’s health. She has been very, very unwell,—and tho’ she is again better, my thoughts continue harrassed & restless, on her account. Long may yours be more tranquil,—more unagitated by solicitude respecting those nearest & dearest to you!—— My best regards to Mrs & Miss Boyd,—and
Believe me ever
Your sincere friend
E B Barrett.
Address, on cover sheet: Hugh Stuart Boyd Esqr / Great Malvern.
Docket, in unidentified hand: August 6th 1828.
Publication: EBB-HSB, pp. 55–56 (in part).
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. EBB had commenced on this work at some length earlier (see letter 269).
2. The Claims of Sir Philip Francis, K.B., to the Authorship of Junius’s Letters, Disproved … , by E.H. Barker (1828). EBB’s copy sold as lot 367 in Browning Collections (Reconstruction, A160).
3. Characters of … C.J. Fox, published by Parr in 1809 under the pseudonym of Philopatris Varvicensis.
4. The defence of Parr’s theological views occupies pp. 286–314 of Parriana. The story about Porson relates how Dr. Parr “addressed Porson nearly in these words—‘Mr. Porson, pray what do you think about the introduction of moral and physical evil into the world?’ … Porson, after a moment’s pause for reflection, answered with great solemnity, or dryness of manner:—‘Why, Doctor, I think, we should have done very well without them’.”
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