440. EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 3, 7.

Hope End

Saturday night. [18 February 1832] [1]

My dear Mr Boyd,

I am going to ask only one question. While I was with you this morning, Papa was taking a great fancy to my translation, [2] —& this evening he wishes me to write to Mr Barker to enquire from him whether his friend Mr Valpy will publish it in a future number of the Classical library,—where, consistently with the plan of the work, a translation of Æschylus will of course appear. I want to know what you think about it. I do not ask you to write to me; but Mrs Boyd or Annie might be so kind as to write down some short message from you.

I forgot to tell you one thing today. Papa, who knows Mr Nisbet & the character of his publications, thinks that he wont do for your publisher.

Yours affectely

E B Barrett.

Of course I will not write until I hear your advice.

Address, on integral page: H S Boyd Esqr / Ruby Cottage / Malvern Wells.

Publication: Diary, p. 301.

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

1. Dated by Diary, pp. 216–217, entry for 18 February.

2. EBB wrote in her diary, 15 February: “I have finished my translation. 1075 lines of Æschylus translated in a fortnight.” It was published by A. J. Valpy in 1833 as Prometheus Bound.

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