Correspondence

358.  Henrietta Moulton-Barrett & Ann Henrietta Boyd to EBB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 221–222.

[November 1829] [1]

My beloved Ba–

To prevent your going out today we will keep your bonnet: as Papa says it is too foggy for you– If you are in great distress for it you must send– We sat up for Bro till near twelve last night & did not get to bed till nearly two this morning– I am so glad to hear that Miss Baker is staying at Eastnor I hope you have your verse’s [sic] for her– We had as an agreeable evening as we could considering all circumstances I will not make you vain– Papa told us last night that we should go in the carriage for you tomorrow & then to Mrs Ricardo’s [2] & the Commeline’s– We made known to him this Morng Lady Somers offer about the carriage but he says we had better keep our first plan therefore you may expect to see us at ½ past 12– Miss Boyd did not kick very much last night the lessons are nearly all done & I have not heard one yet– What a scratch! the boy is waiting & Annie says she must write– You will not be able to read this–

Your own Henrietta

[In Ann’s hand]

My very dear Ba–

As it was your wish that I should write to you, I do & thereby tell you that I am safely deposited in the School-room, where all our Pets are extremely good & Henrietta standing by the fire fidgetting because every thing was done before she came up– Bro’, came home quite safe at ½ past eleven– I suppose Henrietta has told you of the plan we mean to pursue tomorrow– My pet Georgie wrote a little note to me last night in which he said he was always so particularly careful to attend to obey any wishes & commands & signed himself your most humble Servant—GGB. Capital is it not. Good bye my dear Ba & Believe me with every wish for happiness your very affect—

Annie–

[Cross-written by Henrietta over Ann’s writing on page 4]

Do not you think it is very improper? I wish you would give Annie a long lecture.

Address, on integral page: Miss Barrett. / Eastnor Castle.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.

1. Dated by Annie Boyd’s stay at Hope End, mentioned in the following letter.

2. Harriet (née Mallory), wife of Osman Ricardo, of Bromesberrow Place, 5 miles from Ledbury. Osman Ricardo (1795–1881) was the eldest son of the political economist David Ricardo, who was the nephew of Mrs. Boyd’s stepmother.

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