3837. EBB to George Goodin Moulton-Barrett

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 23, 30–31.

[London]

[?16] [August 1856] [1]

My dearest George

Only late last night I remembered that by an engagement of a fortnight Penini was to go with Ferdinando & Wilson to the Zoological Gardens [2] today with a ticket– I put them off last saturday because of Peni’s being unwell, & I have’nt the inhumanity to propose it again.

So I come to you. Now would you take Penini on any other day in change for this?—and will you think me very ungrateful (& impudent besides,) for making the proposal?

I hear your dinner was princely, George–

Your ever attached Ba–

Address: George G M Barrett Esqre / 50 Wimpole Street.

Publication: B-GB, p. 219.

Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.

1. Dating suggested by EBB’s reference to Pen’s “being unwell.” In letter 3832, she wrote that he had been given “some slight medecine” but that “there’s nothing really the matter with him after all.”

2. The Zoological Gardens (now known as the London Zoo) were established in Regent’s Park by the Zoological Society of London in 1828, at which time members of the public were admitted only with a written order from one of the society’s fellows. Beginning in 1847, the general public was admitted.

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