324. EBB to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 172–173.

[Hope End]

[ca. 10 October 1828] [1]

My beloved Henrietta,

I must answer your note tho’ you say I need not. It does not do me any harm to write, but the contrary. We are all well. Thank God that dearest Papa is well—& that you are well. I have read the chapter which he told you to read. I dare say God will touch my heart & make me cry soon, & then I shall be even better than I am now—better able to read & to think: for there is no use in reading unless you can think. You say that you remember us in your daily prayers. I pray that the God of all peace & consolation in Jesus Christ may be with you all now & for ever.

I am sorry to part with my dear kind Bro, but I am glad that he is going to you.

Your own affectionate Ba.

Address, on integral page: Miss Henrietta Barrett.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: In private collection.

1. In an undated letter, Bro wrote to Mrs. Martin (SD674): “I received your letter whilst sitting with my sister, and therefore delivered her enclosure … She read it, (as she has every letter she has received from Cheltenham), without its producing the slightest effect upon her.... I shall most likely go tomorrow evening to Cheltenham.”

___________________