3603. EBB to Henrietta Cook
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 21, 234–235.
13 Dorset St
Friday– [Postmark: 24 August 1855]
Ever dearest Henrietta I write in a state of distraction—people pulling all ways with all manner of wicked devices– But Arabel has been here & leaves me instructions to exhort you to suspend your decision for a day or two. Ramsgate, it seems, is too full of London citizens, to admit us unless we took lodgings in the fishermen’s boats. There’s a doubt, then, where to go to—& the young men seem to me to pull in different directions, so as to make a conclusion difficult. You see, with us, it is’nt a matter of choice: We really have’nt the money. We cd only manage it by making it a halfway house to Paris, so as to avoid any increase of expenditure. Dearest Henrietta– Not only are our journeyings from Florence to be considered, but the fact that dear Mr Kenyon has again forgotten our fifty pounds– We [are] pushed into a corner.
Arabel says she will give you half her bed– In fact we will both take care that you have no sort of expense—and the sea-advantages to Altham will be as great as to my Penini–
I write with Mrs Ogilvy just gone, Mrs Jago just come .. between the two fires.
I love you & learn [1] to see you dearest dear Henrietta– My love to that kindest Surtees.
Occy has gone to Sandgate & other places to see about houses. Arabel swears that if he takes a house where I cannot follow, she will not leave London but live incognita in a room at Trippy’s. Never say there’s no romance in the world.
Your ever affectionate Ba
Address: Mrs Surtees Cook / Wilton / Taunton.
Publication: Huxley, p. 223 (in part, as 23 August 1855).
Manuscript: British Library.
1. Sic. EBB probably had “yearn” and/or “long” in mind.
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