3631. EBB to Arabella Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 21, 269–271.
[London]
[20 September 1855] [1]
My beloved Arabel, I write today in mere desperation lest you may think me eloped from Robert (with a medium?)– Between ourselves, he peradventure thought so the other day when I was missed–
So I write, as I say, to prevent your setting me down as vanished .. or (what is as bad) not in the right state of rapture about your half-promise of coming to London incognita– On the strength of my gratitude I shall forthwith go to call on Mrs Mackintosh [2] .. I who remained cold & untouched (un-moved across the street at least) by her present of six fresh eggs a fortnight ago.
Dearest Arabel, the idea of your coming is exquisite of course. It is too good of you—too Arabellish—but I ought’nt to let you do it, I know. Shall I say “Pray dont come.” If I were but sure that you would’nt mind me, I might be so virtuous.
These three days I have been hunting quarters of an hour to write to you in—& they have been cut to pieces as fast as I held them. Today I have had successions of visitors, from Mrs Paine, to Nelly Jago, inclusive of the Cooks—Mrs Cook &, I think, Mary Cook. [3] What a faint rubbed-out woman Mrs Cook is! She never could have been in bright colours, & now the picture-cleaners have been quite too strong for her. So meek & gentle, as to provoke one rather against the Christian graces. It was kind of her to come, & I must try to get down to Charing Cross to return her visit. She talked of course of Henrietta, & considered the decision about her not coming, to be perfectly wise–
Besides the really grand character (to my feeling) of Mr Stratten’s discourse that day, he pleased me a good deal by his spiritualism in my sense—his references to angelic ministrations,—& to the probable ministration of departed spirits towards their friends surviving on the earth. I have thought before several times that he is in advance (on this subject) of the great majority of pulpit teachers .. in fact in advance of the ordinary opinions of the Christians of the day. [4] There is materialism everywhere—and the doctrine of the personal Reign [5] is used & delighted in chiefly because of its tendencies that way. Think of even Mr Ruskin being materialistic to the uttermost. He holds the Personal Reign—& told me quite cool[l]y that he wished the word “spiritual” out of use altogether. We are going to spend a morning with Mr Ruskin some of these mornings, by the bye–
Mr Forster’s dinner was agreeable—& the next day Macready came here, & sate two hours in conversation. I understand he has taken a great fancy to me .. I mean Macready has– He is not brilliant, but sensible & gentlemanly—with a sadness of tone running through his whole conversation & general bearing. Mr Forster is overwhelming us with attentions. Think of his coming the other day with a magnificent toy for Penini! Robert dines with him tomorrow (friday) to meet his publisher, Chapman—& we are all to do the same (minus Chapman) another day. I really do like Forster. He has quite won me by his affectionateness, & quick sympathy for Robert.
Dearest– we shall have you! What joy! Penini has written you a long letter (he said he must—he could’nt wait to see you! You wd think it most unkind if he did’nt write) and he is copying it out in his own hand, day by day– He wrote a page this morning. My darling Peni is looking much better– Henry should have confined himself to that fact–
And yet, I have really been feeling better during the last few days. The thoughts of you make one better–
Robert shrieks for me– The rest tomorrow, I hope—though Mrs Ogilvy is coming tomorrow–
Your own Ba—
Publication: EBB-AB, II, 172–174.
Manuscript: Gordon E. Moulton-Barrett.
1. Date provided by EBB’s remark about trying to find time to write “these three days.” Three days before, she had written to Arabella: “In despair I send this note to forerun the letter which shall go to you tomorrow, if possible.”
2. Sic, for McIntosh.
3. Mary Susannah Altham Cook (1809–83), Surtees Cook’s eldest sister, lived with her mother, Elizabeth Cook, at 11 Downing Street, the official residence of the chancellor of the exchequer, where Mrs. Cook had held the position of Housekeeper (or Necessary Woman) since 1830.
4. Although not dated, notes from Stratten’s sermons, as recorded in Arabella’s hand, contain references to this subject. For example, in a sermon based upon Genesis 28:16–19, in which Stratten discusses God’s hand in all things, whether we see it or not, he adds that “this is also true with respect to angelic ministrations and the presence of glorified spirits. Whilst we are unconscious of them, they are going up and down in this invisibility, but rejoicing in their radiant glances of love, which they are permitted to cast one upon another” (“Some few recollections of sermons, preached by the Revd. J. Stratten, in Paddington Chapel,” recorded by Arabella Moulton-Barrett, ms at Eton).
5. Also known as the millennial reign, a belief in Christ’s temporal kingship of a thousand years that begins with the Second Coming. It is based upon Revelation 20:6.
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