37. EBB to Mary Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 29–30.
Hope End
[1817] [1]
Toujours tres chere Maman
Avec beaucoup de joie Je vous addresse pour vous dis les bon nouvelles que J’ai parlé Francois un semaine demain pour recompense Je voudrais (s’il vous plait) d’etre nourice du petit George pour un jour et pour fais tout que les Nourices fassent[.] Je sais que vous dissez “Oh vous o[u]blierez tout votre lecons pa[r]ticularment votre Musique” mais Je vous assure que Je ne veux rien oublie car je fais tous les autres jours beaucoup plus d’attention car Je me souviens que vous m’avez dit q’un jour d’attention se valent deux de parssesse[.] Si vous voulait me donner la recompense que Je souhaite vous faites votre chere enfant bien hereuse.
Elizabeth
P.S.
Rosa mettoit sa nom à cette lettre pour montrer que J’ai gagner ma recompense[.] [2]
Address, on integral page: A Ma / chere Mama.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: British Library.
Translation:
Always very dear Mama
With much joy I send you the good news that I have spoken French for a week tomorrow. As a reward I would like (if you please) to be the nurse of little George for a day and to do all that Nurses do. I know that you will say “Oh you will forget all your lessons particularly your Music” but I assure you that I don’t want to forget anything because I have been studying very hard these past days because I remember that you said to me that one day of hard work is worth two of idleness. If you want to give me the reward I wish for you will make your dear child very happy.
Elizabeth
P.S. Rosa added her name to this letter to show that I have earned my reward.
1. Having returned from Paris late in 1815, EBB probably began studying French early in the following year (the earliest reference to her writing French being in June 1816—see letter 31, note 1). She continued her study of the language at Ramsgate during the summer of 1817 with a tutor, Mme. Gordin. The handwriting is of this period, and “little George” had been born in July 1816.
2. This and the following letters in French contain many errors of spelling and syntax, attesting to EBB’s imperfect command of the language. We avoid the repeated use of “[sic]” to underscore her amateur efforts.
In some places, her errors are compounded by a lack of clarity in the handwriting, adding to the difficulties of transcription and translation. The English version given above, and the translations offered for subsequent French letters, are the best we can achieve, but total accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
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