3087. EBB to David Ogilvy

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 18, 190–191.

58 Welbeck street.

Thursday– [11–12 August 1852] [1]

My dear Mr Ogilvy,

I must send you one word of congratulation from the hearts of both of us, upon the happy event you have been so kind as to give me the news of– [2] Thank you for having done so! and thank God above all! She is glad, .. is she not? .. to have another little son. I think she wanted a companion to Alexander—who, however, loses his exclusive glory of male dignity in the eyes of his sisters– Will you let me know in a day or two how the dear mother & child are going on? I shall be anxious to have the good account confirmed.

And just now I receive a letter from Mr Tennyson, with a like happy tiding. You know, his first child was only born, & died directly, & he took it grievously to heart. Now, they have another .. “a fine boy,” he says, .. and his letter is written in such a glow of delight, that one feels sure of the great heart of a man who could write so. I never liked him so much, though always I did like him. His wife’s health is very delicate, & he had had fears of course, more than are inseparable from such occasions–

Nothing but babies among the poets just now, you see!——

But we cant be present at your christening, as we are invited to be at Mon[c]kton Milnes’s next week.

Thank you for wishing us nearer. I wish we were indeed. With Robert’s love to you all, believe me, dear Mr Ogilvy,

affectely yours

Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

I have still some hope that Wilson’s intention of leaving us may not be final.

Publication: EBB-EAHO, pp. 82–83.

Manuscript: Eton College Library.

1. Dated by EBB’s reference to letter 3085 from Alfred Tennyson, which she received late on Wednesday the 11th.

2. i.e., the birth of their fifth child and second son Walter Tulliedeph Ogilvy (1852–1927) on 9 August.

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