382. EBB to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett & Arabella Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 255–257.
[Great Malvern]
Tuesday Night. [21 September 1830] [1]
My dearest Henrietta & Arabel must accept a union letter from me; as I have no time to be schismatic. Thank you for your valuable news,—& all your kindness,—& Arabel’s bright idea about the keys. What a goose I was, to let Henry take them away so carefully in his pocket!! If Arabel’s imagination had contrived some means of sending my purse at the same time, I should have been equally obliged; but I suppose the turnpikes having impoverished her, she is out [2] in generosity. Of course I am particularly pleased by being here; and as I am away from you, in saying so “the force of’[’] friendship to Mr Boyd “can no further go.” He was, or seemed to be, delighted to receive me; & more than delighted with the manner as well as matter of my dearest Papa’s permission. Did you tell him (I do hope you did!) how much I felt his kindness to myself, tho’ I was too much astounded to express exactly what I felt. The advantage to me in being here, is very great; & the pleasure equal to it: but what am I to do about the time of going away? Mr Boyd protests against my intention of going away on Saturday. He says that, Papa having left the time of my remaining here to his disposal, if I attempt to go away before I finish the Agamemnon, I render the permission null & void, & must do so from a feeling of disinclination to remain with him. So that I shall have all the blame. I do wish, that Papa had said or would say something about the time of my return. On my arrival here, I found that the Quaker had just gone. [3] He had been discussing the geological question, & Papa’s conversation at Ledbury which pleased & interested him.
Yesterday evening Mrs Boyd, Annie & Miss Gibbons went to hear Mathews at the Library, where all the noblesse was assembled, & every body was amused almost past bearing. Miss Gibbons just escaped a fit of hysterics, in consequence of violent laughing. In the meantime, Mr Boyd & I had a Greek tête à tête. I went in to him after breakfast this morning, & stayed till dinner,—& then after tea till he went to bed,—after which you see I am at your service. You would wonder & pity me if you could witness the hurry in which I am scribbling this,—Mrs Boyd & Annie looking so tired & inclined to go to bed, & I (in my civility) keeping them up! Give my very best love to the boys; & tell them to attend to their lessons, & get as many as they can prepared for me. They must translate the first chapter of St Johns Gospel into English writing, & not look at the English testament.
Malvern is brimfull of Esterhazys &c. [4] Prince Leopold comes tomorrow. [5] I have seen nobody,– I walked a little way on the common with Mrs Boyd this evening, & this is the sum total of my pedal exercise. Their kindness to me is indeed great!
May God bless & preserve you. I thought of you so much last night when the wind kept me awake!–. My particular love to my dearest Papa!——
Your ever most affectionate Ba.
Write instantly. Annie lent me a nightgown & nightcap for last night—so that I was not recompensed as I deserved for my carelessness!——
Address, on integral page: Miss Henrietta Barrett / Hope End / Ledbury.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: In private collection.
1. EBB arrived at Woodland Lodge on Monday 20 September. Internal reference to her having to borrow a nightgown from Annie places this letter on the second day of her visit.
2. Underscored three times.
3. Mr. Attree (see letter 384).
4. Probably Prince Pál Antal Esterházy (1786–1866), Austrian Ambassador to the Court of St. James and premier Austrian commissioner at the London conference of 1830–36.
5. Prince Leopold (1790–1865) was the brother of the Duchess of Kent. The Times of 22 September announced his departure from the Royal Pavilion at Brighton, en route to join the Duchess and Princess Victoria at Malvern.
___________________
