324.5. Edmund Henry Barker to EBB

Addendum to The Brownings’ Correspondence, vol. 2.

[Thetford]

[Postmark: 12 October 1828]

“I have read Miss Barrett’s small volume, & when we consider the early age & the sex of the writer, I certainly think she has executed her very difficult task in a manner, which reflects signal credit on her taste, judgmt, & talents. I am, however, firmly of opinion that this subject of her principal poem is very unfortunately selected, & that nothing but the genius of a Lucretius could possibly overcome the weighty restraints, which such a subject must of necessity impose. Lucretius is a favourite author, & has probably made me a little too fastidious in judging of similar efforts by other & less gifted minds. His masterly poem (in my opinion) contains several pictures, which for beauty, grandeur, & sublimity are not to be paralleled in the writing of any other poet.”

James Welsh Esqr Jun.

31 Church Street,

Soho-Square, London,

(son of the celebrated Calenderer)

Addressed and franked by Robert Price on integral page: Miss Barrett / Hope End / Ledbury / Robert Price.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

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