3574. EBB to Alfred Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 21, 198–199.
Paris. Avenue des Champs Elysées.
Monday– [9] July [1855] [1]
My dearest Alfred, Thank you, thank you for all your activity, adroitness & success. The boxes arrived in all safety, and in the face of Robert’s despair, who would have it they never could, should, or would be found at all. If they had’nt, we should have lost about thirty pounds .. to say nothing of the inconvenience. For my part, it’s my way to hope against stone walls. I never “gave them up”—and I thank you very, very much that you justified me perfectly. It has taught us some wisdom—& we are not likely ever to lose our boxes again, whatever we may do with our wits.
Your letter was the kindest, pleasantest, dearest letter– How kind you are to me dear Alfred! I feel quite pleased that you should like Penini, and I will take your advice & try that he shant be “conceited” and spoiled. Remember, he’s a young child still—& everything comes to the surface—he’s so guileless & simple, he cant pretend to be modest, as so many grown up people do. I thought you would have heard him shouting on the hotel stairs that morning, “Where’s the Prince of Peace?” [2] And, that you did’nt, .. that you were asleep instead, .. never for a moment struck me as “unkind,” .. indeed & indeed! I understood exactly how it was, and if you knew how inclined I felt to run into your room & give you a kiss .. only I thought you might not like it—how could I be sure? After all, “goodbyes” are hateful things, and I was just spared a pain. Now, I look back & think of the pleasure of having seen you, talked to you, dined with you, and heard your kind words–
I would not write till I could tell you where we shall be in London. Arabel has taken us rooms in 13 Dorset street, Baker street at two & a half guineas a week—& we are likely to be comfortable. She says that Sette is better. Sam Barrett is in London, & is surprised to see papa looking considerably “better” than he did two years & a half ago. The Hedleys have gone into the country– Bummy, too. The Owens, I fear, have lost much money through the Paul bankruptcy [3] —& they have lost besides a child [4] by scarlet-fever, which is very much worse–
The old charm of Paris has siezed on me—nothing in the world (except Venice) is so beautiful as a city!—the gardens, trees, & houses all growing together! Then the people are so very kind & attentive to us– The weather, too, has been divine since we came—only by the time we come back, all that will have changed, & we shall have a northern winter to look forward to– The exhibition is magnificent—the effects more picturesque than those in England, notwithstanding the comparative deficiency in space.
We have been waiting here in order to complete Wilson’s marriage, .. and intend to leave Paris tomorrow .. to reach London at past midnight– How overjoyed I am at the thoughts of whom I shall see on wednesday! Robert desires me to name him affectionately to you .. & thankfully besides, for all you have done for us. Penini’s love–
Your attached
Ba
Address: À Monsieur / Monsieur A. P. M. Barrett / Hôtel des Empereurs / Marseille.
Publication: Ronald Hudson, “Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Her Brother Alfred,” Browning Institute Studies, 2 (1974), 148–150.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
1. Year and day provided by postmark.
2. Cf. Isaiah 9:6.
3. See note 4 in the preceding letter.
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