407. EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 291–292.
Hope End
Wednesday Morng. [April 1831] [1]
My dearest friend,
I forgot to remind you the other day, “I know that my redeemer liveth.” [2] Is that bad logic? You will recollect a hundred similar passages.
But my object in writing today, is the correction of the information which I gave you about Hastings. Yesterday I was mentioning to Henrietta what I had said to you with respect to there being no trees, saving the avenue, very near the town. She says that there are trees besides the avenue, tho’ I did not walk among them. She says also that the small houses are very cheap. As her testimony is at least as much to be relied upon as mine, I should feel uncomfortable in keeping it back, whatever the consequence of giving it, may prove to be. I would not deceive you, even into occasioning me the greatest & indeed only happiness which it is possible for me now to possess.
I have heard nothing more. The land surveyor did not finish his work on Monday as we heard he would, but we hear that it will all be done today. The yards, & ground under the rock were done yesterday. Henry ran out to ask them what they were doing. The answer was “We are making a new map & putting down all the improvements”; but this was of course an answer for Henry. [3] Give my love to Mrs Boyd & Annie.
Ever affectionately yours
E B Barrett.
Have you forgotten that I have your coins? [4]
Annie shall be written to, by her bonnet. I suppose, she goes to Mathon next week.
I was right about the summer heat of Hastings, & about it’s society being far the best in winter. It is certainly superior in every respect, as far as I have heard, to any place in Devonshire. Now that I have written this letter, it seems to me rather suicidal to send it—but I will send it notwithstanding.
Address, on integral page: H S Boyd Esqr / Woodland Lodge / Great Malvern.
Publication: Weaver, p. 402.
Manuscript: Huntington Library.
1. The reference to Hastings as a possible residence for the Boyds, after the expiry of their current lease in May, places this letter in this period.
2. Job, 19:25.
3. The estate was being surveyed and a descriptive catalogue compiled (see Appendix III) for the purpose of selling the property.
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