26. EBB to Arabella Graham-Clarke (aunt)
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 20–21.
London Baker S[t]reet
Decr 26 [1815] [1]
My dearest Bum
I hope you do not think it is unkind that I do not write to you, as I wrote two letters to you about three months ago; but you did not answer them, so I did not write any more. I have got a watch, I dare say you know I have, but now I wear it, I had only got it about three days, and it went to the watchmaker to be mended.
My dearest Bum, you do not know how happy I was in Paris!, the Louvre is the most magnificent thing in the world I am sure; we were (that is to say Mama and me, for Papa and Mr Matt Wyat were looking over curiosty shops); I dare say you will stare when I say Mr Matt Wyat went only once into the Louvre, and a painter! [2] Mama and I went many times into that beautiful place. From Jardin des plants I have taken a lesson of gardening, it was I am sure two yards, and French yards, deep in that most beautiful black flower soil; my dear Bum I have found nothing like England, & Ireland, for you are there; you do not know how much I love you, indeed my love is more than I can express. However far—we may be sepreated [sic], either in the gulph of life, or of death, my love shall triumph over it, and shall never be constrained, and I shall ever remain affectionately
Yours
Elizth B. Barrett
Kindest love to dearest Fanny to my Uncle, and to Richard and love little unknown. [3]
[Continued by EBB’s mother]
This Elegant Scratch you will I know be glad to have, & therefore it goes, bad & ill written as it is– She shews it me while George [4] waits for it– I am very very anxious & uneasy to hear from you[.] I hope my letter reached you, dispatched as soon as we returned from France– I shall write very soon—— Decr 26. Happy happy Christmas to all.
Address, in Mary Moulton-Barrett’s hand, on integral page: Miss Graham Clarke / Cohamon / New Town Barry / Wexford.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
1. Dated by EBB’s visit to Paris, 17 October to 17 November 1815. EBB’s notes on this trip were published in HUP, I, 165–173.
2. Possibly the painter Matthew Cotes Wyatt (1777–1862), whose works were exhibited at the Royal Academy, 1803–14.
3. This sentence refers to Thomas Butler (1783–1861), his wife Frances (née Graham-Clarke), their eldest son, Richard Pierce, born 4 March 1813, and their third child, Arabella Sarah, born 27 May 1815.
4. Probably George Butler, a younger brother of Thomas.
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