Correspondence

3086.  EBB & RB to Alfred Tennyson

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 18, 189–190.

Wednesday night– [11 August 1852] [1]

My dear Mr Tennyson

I thank you & congratulate you indeed from my heart. May God bless you all three.

Robert said, when I was writing the note of enquiry which has gone to the post, “Tell him we will hope still for a joyful meeting” .. but I had not courage, at that moment of crisis, to mention the word ‘joy’.

Now I may, thank God. Will you say to dear Mrs Tennyson, when she is able to think of anything so far off as a friend, how deeply I sympathize in her happiness,—with the memory of all that ecstasy, as I felt it myself, still thrilling through me.

And there are barbarians in the world who dare to call the new little creatures not pretty .. ugly even!!

Will you, after a day or two, send me a line of bulletin? See how I encroach upon your kindness!

Most truly yours

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

[Continued by RB]

I can’t help saying, too, how happy I am in your happiness, and in the assurance that it is greater than even you can quite know yet. God bless you, dear Tennyson,—you and all yours–

RB.

Address, in EBB’s hand: Alfred Tennyson Esqre / Chapel House / Montpelier Row / Twickenham.

Publication: BBIS-22, pp. 22–23.

Manuscript: Yale University.

1. This letter is postmarked 12 August 1852, a Thursday.

___________________