3050. EBB to Mary Minto
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 18, 144–145.
138. Avenue des Ch. Elysées.
[9 June 1852] [1]
I will do anything I can for you, dearest Mary, but you must not rely on me for bringing gowns over to you at a specific time, as our plans are most uncertain,—and certainly & at earliest we shall not be in England until the end of the present or the beginning of next month. Now consider– Also, do you consider that a gown unmade will have to be paid for at the custom house? If I were you, I should be inclined to get my French barége in England, which would be just as surely French, and which you would do cheaper on the whole, considering the customhouse tax. I understand that the customhouse people are very stringent just now. Enclosed is Madame or Mademoiselle Legorge’s [2] letter which I have just received.
Decide– I will do what you please. I have heard that the neighbourhood of Maidstone is very pretty– May it be happy in sun & flowers to you! For my part, I like a tent better than a house for living in, but a house may do as well for many persons, let me candidly admit.
I gave Lady Elgin your message, & she expressed some warm wishes for your happiness. The Baroness Thiébault too was speaking of you with great interest the other evening at Lady Elgin’s where we met her, at which time & place was signed the marriage contract of her daughter—and we have since received a letter to “faire part” [3] together with an invitation to the ecclesiastical ceremony. I think we shall go. Mademoiselle Thiébault marries captain Inglefield, a captain in the navy.
My love to Mrs Minto, and our affectionate wishes to yourself & Mr Ruxton. Well– I am glad I know the name at last. Continue to associate mine with all sorts of warm & cordial thoughts–
Ba–
Address: Miss Minto– / [continued in John Kenyon’s hand] No 32. Cambridge Terrace / Hyde Park.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: British Library.
1. Date provided by a London receiving stamp of 10 June 1852.
2. Madame Legorge, evidently a dressmaker, is listed in the Brownings’ address book of this period (AB-3) at “Rue du fauborg St. Honoré. 40.”
3. “Announce.”
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