330. EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 179.

Hope End

Saturday Night– [Docket: December 1828]

My dear Sir,

I have just received your letter,—& Gregory poetice, [1] —& the numerals of your memory. [2] Of course I cannot help being sorry that you should have become “wearied of writing”; particularly now, when no other means of communication are possible betwen us—when you cannot come to see me; & I, under these melancholy circumstances, cannot, you must be aware, leave home so soon for the purpose of visiting you as I used to do. Nevertheless, assure yourself that you will never please me by displeasing yourself.

Your memory is unquestionably a very surprising one—& there is nothing in the paper specifying its length & breadth, calculated to disappoint any reasonable person. I confess I am unreasonable enough to feel a little disappointed that you should know only 90 lines from the works of those “heathen Greek writers” who include Plato as one of their members. Probably 89 out of the number go as a tribute to your favorite Socrates– I am writing in a hurry as you will perceive; but I dont like missing the opportunity, of sending a few lines, which will present itself early tomorrow.

I would have returned Dr Kidd, if Papa had finished it. I monopolized the book, in spite of your warning & forgot to bring it down stairs—so that he had not a chance– Thank you for your kindness in sending Gregory who will interest me I think, & will be taken care of, I am sure. You shall certainly hear my judgment!

Give my kind regards to Mrs Boyd,—& believe me, dear Mr Boyd,

Ever & truly yours

E B Barrett–

Address, on integral page: Hugh Stuart Boyd Esqr / Malvern.

Docket, in unidentified hand: Decr 1828.

Publication: Weaver, p. 405.

Manuscript: Huntington Library.

1. “Poetry, poetically.”

2. In 1832, EBB recorded (see Diary, p. 240 and Reconstruction, D1451) that Boyd had memorized close to 8,000 lines of Greek.

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