376. EBB to Angela Owen
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 248.
[Hope End]
[July 1830] [1]
It is a little hard upon me, who certainly had from the person in authority, an ad libitum permission about filling the gap in this sheet, that Henrietta should have taken & kept possession of it until ten minutes of post time. [2] So that I shall be obliged, very very briefly indeed, to say my sayings,—& to write a mere epitome of the pleasure I have had, & have (for memory gives a present enjoyment) from the society & conversation of part of you. I have admired & do admire your taste, my dearest Angela, most particularly. An old adage says “there is no disputing about tastes”. [3] There is certainly no disputing yours. Perfection & human nature however cannot be brought together,—& one fault, I have discovered in Mr Owen, which is scarcely pardonable, even on the intercession of all the rest that is faultless & captivating in him. He came by himself. My dear dear Angela, how I should like to see & hear you once more—write a line to me whenever you can,—& ever & truly believe me yr
affectionate Ba.
Love to Ellen [4]
Address, in Henry Owen’s hand, on integral page: Mrs Henry Owen / Nath: Wells Esq / Piercefield / Chepstow / Monmouths.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Mrs. Guy Owen.
1. Bummy wrote to Henrietta from Ireland, 6 August: “How surprised you must have been to see Mr. Owen” (SD730).
2. Most of the sheet on which EBB wrote this letter had been taken up by two other letters to Angela Owen. The first was by her husband, Henry, and the second by EBB’s sister Henrietta (see SD728).
3. From the anonymous Latin proverb, “de gustibus non est disputandum.”
4. Presumably Angela’s younger sister, Ellen Margaret Bayford.
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