33. EBB to Arabella Graham-Clarke (grandmother)
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 25–26.
[Hope End]
July 27th 1816
My dearest Grandmama
I am very glad to tell you, dear Mama is getting [on] quite nicely, she can walk a little now, and the sweet little Boy improves every day, [1] Indeed we want nothing to complete, our happiness, but to have the pleasing gratification of seeing you, dearest Grandpapa, Charlotte, and Jenny, not forgetting Lawson, & Smith, [2] &c, as you know I wish for Bum, Fanny, &c I need not say Not forgetting over again–. Oh but I must tell you, we have got grapes, now but remember not ripe, and we have pineapples, also, Oh what am I thinking ofi! Mr Somebody, or Mrs Somebody, gave them to us, But really the grapes are ours– Oh dearest Grandmama, Hope End is so beautiful, Nature here displays all her art, the ivy that droops upon the ground, she fastens up to some majestic tree, without the aid of nails, or <an> active gardener– We have played at a new game lately, we have each been Queen, or King of some country, or island, for example I and Arabella are the empresses of the Hyeres, Bro and Henrietta are the emperor and empress of Italy, Storm is the Prince of Rome, and Sam is Emperor of Oberon– Pray dear Granny, beg Grandpapa Charlotte, and Jane to be on my side, for we sometimes have Battles, the other day Henrietta and I fought, I conquered, took her prisoner and tied her to the leg of the table; And pray ask Lawson and, Smith, to be on their pet Sams side, Hoping this and loving you all very much, I am.
Always
Affectionately
Your child
EB, otherwise, Signed,
Empress of the Hyeres
An answer as quick as time will permit
“Time” alias distance.
Pray tell Sunny James [3] we send him a thousand kisses Pray ask him to be on my side–
We have heard the melancholy news from Garryhunden of Miss Butlers death [4] and are anxiously expecting a letter to hear how long it will prevent their coming: You must excuse this bad writing for I have been romping in the hay till I am quite tired & not likely to appear to advanta<ge e>ither on paper or on my legs:
Publication: B-GB, pp. 335–337.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. George Goodin Moulton-Barrett, born 15 July.
2. Jenny was EBB’s aunt Jane; Lawson and Smith were Graham-Clarke servants.
3. James Graham-Clarke, EBB’s maternal uncle.
4. We have been unable to identify this member of the Butler family; very probably she was a sister-in-law of EBB’s aunt, Frances Butler.
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