Correspondence

385.  Henrietta Moulton-Barrett & Arabella Moulton-Barrett to EBB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 260–262.

[ca. 1 October 1830] [1]

My own dearest Ba.

To give me an appetite for my luncheon I must write a few lines to you & premierement I must thank you for the pleasure your letter afforded us; this morning Papa said at breakfast “I think you should send some pheasants to Mr Boyd”[.] So Bro is going out after he returns from Ledbury where he is gone with Sam to have some money changed for Papa to kill what he can before it is time to take this up to Chances pitch– But I have not done with your letter yet when I told Papa I heard from you he said “Well does she say any thing about coming home?” he said also some hardly audible words at dinner but I think they were—She must fix the time herself– To say the truth he seems to be a little tired of having only us to talk to & if you can tear yourself away next week dearest Ba I should advise it, the Quotation was very Appropriate I dare say but I cannot say very modest on your part– Thank you for the explanation nothing more was said on the subject but I was glad that Papa was convinced that we were right in our statements– Do not forget to bring us a copy of the Definition– Papa was telling Bro & me Ghost stories last night & frightened me to death– How hard hearted of you not to go to the lecture. Most cruel! Papa had a letter from him [2] to say he was sorry he could not accept of his obliging invitation to give lectures in Ledbury & at the same time stating the days he held them on at Malvern—the first was only an ingenious way of bringing in the latter clause as Papa had never given him any invitation– A large sole & two potatoes have really made me feel so stupid that I do not think I can write any more. We are waiting for Bro & Sam to come home that we may have the poney to pay our visit to the bride at the Bartons we then continue our route to see the Martins– I must go now as I know Arabel has told you all the rest–

Ever dearest Ba’s

Attached Henrietta–

We sent off a packet of game to London today–

Arabel says I have repeated all she has said so I advise you to burn Arabels before reading.

Write always Write

[Continued in Arabella’s hand]

I do not much think, my dearest Ba, you would have seen my handwriting to day, if Papa had not told Bro that he ought to send some pheasants to Mr Boyd. Some have gone to London, to day, with your letter which Henrietta has sent enclosed in one of hers she told them all your flirtation with Mr Attree, & the very audible sigh Miss Gibbons heard, & the blushes you concealed behind her shoulder—I really am surprised at your hard heartedness in not attending his lectures, it must have broke the poor man’s heart almost. Papa said “Why did she not go” Henrietta asked me to go with her to pay a visit to the bride at the Barton’s and to Mrs Martin who is come home, it is a very great bore, but do not you tell her so, as I am obliged to accompany her out of politeness. We should have gone yesterday, had it not rained– I can tell you that when you do come home I shall not let you study for a week, you shall do nothing but talk to me, at the end of that time I dare say I shall be pretty well tired of you. Milly [3] has just now brought me a parcel from Miss Cliffe—which contains a receipt book for wines, they were here yesterday when I told them that I was just going to make damson wine as an experiment for I had no receipt for it & so she sent me it to day, but I made it yesterday unfortunately. I am writing this with Henry on one side of me saying his lessons & Daisy on the other crying So you must excuse all faults & bad writing[.] Papa read us out of the newspaper Emily Bayford’s marriage, it took place on Tuesday, [4] what a wedding day it was for her– I went to bed extremely early last night leaving them all not in the brightest of humours, Papa amused them by telling them ghost stories after I went it must have been much more agreable after than before I went– I kissed Ockyta for you, as you desired, which he let me do with a very good grace[.] I think I must now go to adorn my very graceful person for them. God bless you my beloved Ba.

Your ever

Affectionate

Arabel

Everybody send their best love to you– I do not think we shall go to day Bro & Sam have not come yet from their shooting.

Henrietta was talking all last night about Mr Webb. Now Sam reappears.

Address, in Henrietta Moulton-Barrett’s hand, on integral page: Miss Barrett / H. S. Boyd’s Esqre / Gt Malvern.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.

1. This letter sent with game which was acknowledged by EBB in the following letter.

2. i.e., Mr. Attree.

3. Assumed to be one of the Cliffes’ servants.

4. On 28 September, to Charles George Butler (1793–1867), brother-in-law of EBB’s aunts Charlotte and Frances Butler.

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