4642. EBB to Arabella Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 27, 259–265.
28 Via del Tritone
Rome
April 5– [1860] [1]
Ever beloved Arabel, if you are uneasy about us, the more dearly foolish you– The affair on the Corso, if we had been walking there, (as Robert was dining there & looking out of the window) might have been tragical for us certainly—for the barbaric Papal troops slashed with their swords like the savages they are,—but even so, nobody was killed—and, as it happened, none of us had even an opportunity of being frightened– [2] If we had, I should have thought, I suppose, of writing to you– In the actual case the possibility of your alarm never occurred to me– We dont let Peni go out where there is whispered the likelihood of a demonstration; and, as the patriots in the north have put a stronger bridle on the people here, demonstrations (perfectly useless under the circumstances) will probably stop for the present. The French have been on the verge of going away– They would be replaced by Neapolitans or the Pope’s foreign savage band,—& the Romans prophecy horrors as a consequence– The French soldiers & the people fraternise closely, in spite of the Popish tendencies of their General Goyon who is much disliked on all sides– There is a murmur among the people (the more peaceable Romans) that by the time the French have marched five miles from Rome, five thousand citizens will be thrown into dungeons .. & when there is’nt room in the prisons the victims will be thrust living into the ‘Graves’! Of course, this only proves the Roman opinion of the wickedness of their government. If the people have a chance (with such prospects) they will of course take it & the stilletto together.
As to what L Napoleon “might have done” & ought to have done eleven years ago, you are to learn that the Roman expedition was not his but the republic’s under Cavaignac– True, he had to carry it out as President of the republic, the arrangement having been made,—& true also, (just as true) that the affair had by that time become the choice between two evils. [3] Observe—we were on the spot—we knew the facts—which poor dear Leigh Hunt did not. [4] If the French had delayed their intervention one day, the Austrians would have taken their place– The Austrian troops in Florence had even the day of their march fixed, & Austria was bitterly disappointed at losing that occasion of beating her last nail into Italy. If she had done so, all Italy would have been Austrian at this hour. But France drove in her wedge & kept the question open till another conclusion could be arrived at– All this is matter of history & not of disputation– LN even was accused of exceeding his power as president of the republic when he wrote the famous letter to Edgar Ney on the Papal government [5] —— He is the most consistent of all men, & happily, the most persistent– He seems to abandon an idea at times—but it is only to take it up by another handle. Everything is coming round in Italy to what he said last spring, it should be.
As to Savoy .. Savoy is not the price of France’s intervention. If things had stopped at Villafranca, there would have been no annexation asked or granted. It is simply the consequence of the reconstitution of Italy as a nation, north & south, & from sea to sea– As surely as Venetia is now under Austria, it will be under Victor E very soon– I tell you– [6]
What goes on in the H. of Commons is a pitiful display of national jealousy, & party-struggle for power– See by what persons the Savoy question is spoken of most violently– The tory faction!– After Mr Horsman we are to have Ld Normanby, he promises– Meantime Horsman is pulled up by his constituents, I am relieved to see– [7]
If the ministry went out just now, (in spite of Lord John’s dwarfed notions & general niaiserie) [8] the misfortune for Europe would be terrible. But the commercial treaty, & only the commercial treaty, keeps them in– [9] Lord Derby wrote (since the treaty) to Cardinal Wiseman here, that the treaty had produced such an effect on the English public, that it was impossible he and his party, with whatever help from Ireland, could assist Rome against France–
You disbelieve this perhaps.. Yet it is an absolute fact. The same sort of intrigue between the Conservative government & Rome, illustrated English virtue last spring. Robert & I were bound by an oath not to speak—but we knew. You are the most hypocritical of nations, you who play such tricks, & annex districts in India against every sort of right. [10] If Victor Emmanuel has a right to Savoy, he may cede it—if the populations have a right of choice, they may choose. Who is hurt in this affair, except England in her jealousy, or Switzerland in her acquisitiveness? Switzerland wants the territory for herself, & has used every means to get it—and the populations are profoundly indisposed towards Switzerland, as even the Times grants. [11]
Yes, Robert has been furious about the Athenæum. You will see my printed letter. The curious thing is that so many critics, friends & foes, have made the same mistake—but the fact is that the cap does fit England .. in a general way .. though by no means made for her.
I have been deeply gratified by a letter from Edmund Ollier, editor of the Atlas, to thank me for giving a voice “to political & international opinions” which had always been his own– It was “courageous & noble” to .. so & so. He sends with his letter accordingly a warmly laudatory notice in the Atlas, & he has written another, he says, for a daily paper. [12] There’s a letter, too, from Gabriel Ros[s]etti who cares nothing for politics, but praises the poetry as being perhaps superior to anything I have done in the same dimensions. [13] The hideous ‘Saturday Review’ speaks of the book in a leading article, in the course of an argument against France–. “Even if you grant with an Imperialist poetess” [14] &c &c—— Now I expected just nothing—therefore it is all more than enough– To deliver my own soul was my chief object in printing that book—& there will be sympathy even from England.
What you mean by praising the “noble Italians,” who adhere to the emperor through thick & thin in this Savoy affair .. both in their public opinion, & in their noblest individuals, (who .. Cavour & Farini .. both sign the treaty .. & Massimo d’Azeglio, ready last spring to sign it—) while blaming the King & the emperor, .. passes my understanding. The Italians must be selfish rather than “noble,” if they do a violence & injury to the Savoyards with perfect equanimity– But the Savoyards are French, & have been always most difficult for Italy to hold– The Holy Alliance cut them off from France, & sacrificed them– [15] That was virtue, of course. And what Napoleon does, is vice accordingly.
But no more politics. I know LN. is “antichrist,”—after the view of your prophets, & must turn out a villain– It wd be a misfortune if he did’nt, even–
Which brings me away from politics– They shant teaze you any more– Should I not rather give you my sympathy my dearest darling Arabel for what I know is a grief to you .. the loss of the pastorship of your dear Mr Stratten. I fancy from what you say, that there has been some ingratitude towards him [16] —and indeed, it is obvious that a capable assistant ought to have been regularly provided by so rich a church– Still, .. he does not leave the neighbourhood, does he?—you will have & hold him as a friend always– And now what you say about leaving the chapel surprises me. You are a church-member, are you not? I do not understand your exact view. I think at the time when I could have consented to being a member of a church of that kind (very, very long ago!) I should not have considered that a change of minister was competent to dissolve that tie. For instance, Mrs Stratten (if she stays in the neighbourhood) will remain a member of the church,—wont she?—— I am very sorry about it all– If you leave that chapel, where will you go, I wonder. You’ll have to come with me, Arabel, to hear Swedenborgianism somewhere or other– Oh, my dove! flying from your ark, you’ll have to be satisfied with a wild rose tree leaf! [17] See to it, if you wont–
Now dear, dearest, I can answer nothing yet about plans– We have paid for this house till June. Robert is very averse to taking me a long journey this year, with the excitements appertaining to it, .. not to speak of the “baptism of blood” we are to have in Italy, they say, & during which, both for private & public reasons, we cant be far away from Florence. Robert’s man of business [18] (perfectly reliable) is just dead there, & all we have is a-float in Tuscany, remember– But his chief objection to going north is, my health– I am quite well now, and look another woman—quite well, mind! Still, when I’m ill, there has grown to be a tendency to a most unpleasant complication,—& Robert who was frightened last summer, & somewhat even this winter, is very anxious to keep me quiet even from good deeds– As it is, we shall have to travel to Tuscany—& perhaps back again to Rome next winter. Now, look at the map, & consider what a route it is—& what an excitement it will be in England– Still, I know we owe ourselves to you this year– I know it– On the other hand, going north would induce a suspence of Pen’s education which becomes important now: while if we go to Siena, the Abbé will follow us there, & continue his instructions during at least two months of the summer. But Pen’s Latin yields to you—he is not an obstacle– As to expence, two hundred pounds scarcely cover a journey to England. You must be gentle & considerate to us altogether, my darling– What can be, shall be, feel certain. Sarianna writes to propose that we should meet them somewhere in Switzerland—which we shant do. If we go at all, it will be to England. As we cant cross the Alps (which might kill me in the process) the journey to Switzerland wd be as long nearly as to London– We shd have to go to Marseilles & Lyons,—then to branch off to the right. Besides it would’nt answer my purpose, not to see you–
After all, dont let us talk of it for the present .. we shall decide as circumstances shall direct,—& love you incessantly meanwhile.
I had such a fright in opening your letter about dearest Minny,—as you must have had in a more serious because enduring manner. Poor Minny—& poor Arabel!– I thank God that the evil is over–
I have been deeply saddened lately by the loss of my loved friend Mrs Jameson,—no, I cant talk of it– But it is a blot on the world to me, this loss– No—I cant talk– It was all very very sudden. Bronchitis complicated with paralysis on the brain. Cold caught at the B. Museum– Her last book not through the press yet– [19] I had a letter very lately– She loved me—and it was a large heart, to be loved by.
Still, “the veil is thin”– I must be very dense in my physique, not to have heard, I think–
Wonderful things, meanwhile, go on at Mrs Milner Gibson’s– A table lifted over the heads of people, testified to by a friend of ours present, [20] is a smaller wonder– Have you heard nowhere of Hume or Home, now in London?–
I had not thought that my dear uncle Hedley had been so ill– [21] Give them all my tender & true love– Dear Aunt Jane,—how is she?——
Pen was touched with a sun-stroke in riding the other day, .. or rather in getting off his poney to pick flowers for me. He frightened us—we called in Pantaleone who applied mustard poultices to his feet & vinegar & cold water to his head– But the child only lay in bed a day. The March sun is proverbially dangerous throughout Italy– He is as well as possible now, & as radiant to look at. The Abbé hurried here when he heard of his being ill, & sate by the bed telling him stories. Pen likes him very much– Also we have found out that his patience under Pen’s impertinent speeches is accounted for by his politics being most liberal. He told me that of course he was sorry at the Holy father being discontented, but for his part he must rejoice in the liberation of Italy– Pen makes all sorts of impertinent jokes about the excommunication– [22] By the way Napoleon is in it. The effect is null. Robert’s best love & Pen’s. Write. Mention Minny. I am going today to St Peters– Holy thursday– May God bless you beloved–
I am your own loving Ba–
Speak of yourself dearest. I am quite well, remember– Lady Elgin is happily taken at last. [23]
Dr Manning sate here an hour & three quarters the other morning– He is very interesting: no talk of theology though– Mrs Stowe & I get on admirably– We sit & talk by the hour– She is a heretic of my inches– We agree greatly– On prayer for the dead for instance—& so much more! I said at last, “How do you bear, with these views, .. your weekly attendance in the Calvinistic Churches”– She lay her thoughtful head back on the sofa, & said, after a grave pause, .. “It is a bore–” A devout Christian woman, Arabel,—but having broken her bonds– The wife, sister, daughter of congregational ministers! [24] She must be strong– She thinks, as I do, that the shells & formulas of the dogmas are all worn & mishapen from the original intention—& that we want a renewing of the churches.
Why do you give up the Jagos? They are very much hurt– You never even sent Nelly your address–
Address: Angleterre viâ France– / Miss Moulton Barrett / 7. Delamere Terrace / Harrow Road / London.
Publication: EBB-AB, II, 453–460.
Manuscript: Gordon E. Moulton-Barrett.
1. Year provided by postmark.
2. See letter 4628, notes 3 and 4.
3. Louis Cavaignac, as dictator of France in 1848, had pledged French military aid to Pius IX. In 1849, Louis Napoleon fulfilled that pledge when he sent troops to Rome in order to restore papal rule; see letter 2787, note 2.
4. Probably a reference to a remark made by Hunt in his autobiography: “Heaven forgive the French for the shameless vanity of their interference! for it has delayed, under the most unwarrantable circumstances, what must assuredly take place before long, as far as priests and priestly government are concerned” (The Autobiography of Leigh Hunt, 3 vols., 1850, III, 161). A new edition of the Autobiography had recently been issued with revisions by Hunt and his eldest son, Thornton.
5. Edgar Ney (1812–82), son of Michel Ney (1769–1815), Marshal of France under Napoleon I, was one of Louis Napoleon’s chief advisers. He had been sent on a special assignment to the French headquarters in Rome in 1849. EBB refers to a letter Louis Napoleon had written to Ney on 18 August 1849; see letter 2816, note 3.
6. Venetia became part of unified Italy in 1866.
7. Edward Horsman (1807–76), M.P. for Stroud (1853–68), had angered a large number of his constituents by his disapproval of Napoleon III’s policies and his opposition to the commercial treaty with France. Consequently, on 26 March 1860, members of his constituency called a meeting to discuss their dissatisfaction. A report in The Times the following day noted that “the meeting was called in consequence of the strong general feeling that Mr. Horsman has not represented the opinions of the borough in Parliament” (p. 12).
8. “Stupidity,” or “silliness.” EBB may be referring to remarks made by Lord John Russell on 26 March 1860 in the House of Commons (see letter 4621, note 5).
10. For example, the Indian state of Oude; see letter 4117, note 7.
11. Switzerland was actively seeking to occupy Chablais and Faucigny, districts in Upper Savoy, claiming they were guaranteed to Switzerland by the treaties of 1815 if Savoy reverted to France. A copy of a dispatch from Cavour to Commendatore Jocteau, Sardinian (Piedmontese) minister at Berne, in answer to “a Swiss note,” appeared in The Times for 11 April 1860. Cavour answered the Swiss claims by stating that “the treaties of 1815 still less furnish any ground for the pretensions of the Federal Council. By these treaties the provinces of Chablais and Faucigny were restored to Sardinia, who had lost them in 1792” (p. 12).
12. Perhaps The Daily News of 29 March 1860 (p. 2). For the full text of this review, see pp. 364–365. According to the ODNB, Ollier “was an occasional writer in the Daily News from 1853 to 1877.”
13. It seems likely that EBB refers to the letter she received from William Michael Rossetti, who wrote: “It appears to me to contain some of your very noblest writing & thought—perhaps more than any other work, in proportion to its bulk” (letter 4635).
14. In The Saturday Review of 31 March 1860, an article entitled “The Eagle of Boulogne” begins as follows: “The Imperial bird has played over again its performance at Boulogne. It has once more taken wing to soar in quest of a grand idea, and, while the world gazed upward, and Imperialist poetesses fell into dithyrambics, it has again alighted in the sausage shop. The European community shouts and hoots to make the majestic robber relinquish his booty. The poetesses write supplementary odes in a pensive strain, stating that, owing to the unworthiness of the world, the grand idea is unavoidably postponed” (p. 392). This issue carried a review of Poems Before Congress (see letter 4645, note 4).
16. Evidently, friction between Stratten and church leaders, combined with his failing health, led him to resign as pastor of the Paddington Chapel; however, he remained in the area and continued to preach at the chapel from time to time.
17. As opposed to an olive leaf brought to Noah by the dove; cf. Genesis 8:11: “And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off.”
20. Fanny Haworth (see the fourth to last paragraph in letter 4628).
21. Robert Hedley’s declining health had necessitated a return to England. He died at West Monkton, Somersetshire, on 9 April 1862.
23. Elizabeth Bruce (née Oswald, 1790–1860), widow of the 7th Earl of Elgin, died in Paris on 1 April.
24. Mrs. Stowe was a daughter of Lyman Beecher (1775–1863), Presbyterian minister who at one time attempted to forge a union between Congregationalists and Presbyterians. All seven of her brothers were Congregationalist ministers, the most notable being Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87), pastor for many years of Plymouth Congregational Church in Brooklyn. Mrs. Stowe married in 1836 Calvin Ellis Stowe (1802–86), Congregationalist minister, biblical scholar, and school reformer.
___________________
