4770. EBB to George Goodin Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 28, 205–208.
Florence–
Nov– 1 [1860] [1]
My ever dearest George, I have Arabel’s words at the back of Mrs Martin’s letter, to give me courage & heart to write—for ah, dearest George, your last news saddened me much again– Somehow &, in spite of advice & intention, I had got up too high, & expected to be lifted higher yet when your hands next touched me. But no– That is not God’s will so soon– We must humbly thank Him for what He gives .. diminution of pain– I bear everything better than to hear of her suffering so. Also, as far as it goes, the evident reduction of inflammatory tendencies must be a progress—must at least, prepare the way for a progress. Dear darling thing!– My tender love to her—it is with her always– I yearn after her, & hold her name before God when nearest to Him in prayer– May He show mercy to us by restoring her to us–
You are very kind, dearest George, as to the trusteeship, & Robert, who is anxious to have you, bids me to be sure to thank you on behalf of us both. The only doubt is … would the expence be great of naming another trustee, since you say it is not necessary? Perhaps we had better wait till we shall be in England next year & if, meanwhile, your fine defences dont nibble away all the money there is to take care of– [2]
Spain is going to establish a system of defences, [3] it seems, now! What a madness!– Everybody defending himself from everybody—& nobody intending to attack– Not even Austria, if the word of an Austrian government could be taken for anything– Here we are prepared for war. I dont suppose that Rome will be less exposed to the din of it than Florence is– Any way I am indifferent, as far as we are personally concerned—& nobody need fear for us.
You are not to imagine that I named Miss Sewell’s novels for their literature– In fact I never read but one of them .. they are scarcely in my way– Only Arabel told me that our precious sufferer liked religious reading in that form, & I knew that the colour of the opinions would please her– They are popular books—many people like them much– I agree with you in adhering to Anthony Trollope—& indeed Robert & I both consider him first-rate as a novelist– Framley Parsonage is perfect, it seems to me. The writer is just now in Florence, & came to see us yesterday for the second time– I like both brothers very much. Anthony has an extraordinary beard to be grown in England, but is very English in spite of it, & simple, naif direct, frank, .. everything one likes in a man– Anti-Napoleonist of course, & ignorant of political facts more than of course, & notwithstanding that, caring for me .. which is strange, I admit–——
I saw a German lady two days since who came from Garibaldi—an old friend of his– She found him worn to the bone & in the worst spirits,—torn to pieces by his “friends”– Also it was depressing, she said, to hear him spoken of on all sides with a sort of affectionate contempt .. “il est trop bon enfant, ce pauvre Garibaldi!–” [4] In Naples there was no government, no police, no order,—& everybody intriguing against everybody– After the vote, [5] will enter the King & good government– In the meanwhile all Italy is delighted with the noble manifesto expressing Napoleon’s policy, in the Constitutionnel– [6] The emperor’s hand is unmistakeable under the signature of “Boniface”. My poor Italy– The Marchesa Torrearsa, [7] a very interesting Sicilian, called on me yesterday– She said the deliverance was so great & sudden that she “felt like one just recovered from an illness .. scarcely strong enough or certain enough to be joyful–” That was striking: was it not?–
It is true—is it not? that Mrs Orme is dead– [8] I have thought so for long. This morning I had a note from Mrs Robson, [9] to announce that she & Charlotte had come to Florence for a year—not greatly to my satisfaction– Only we are going away—and next year shall probably .. certainly if we live .. be in England & France.
I wish you would always mention dear uncle Hedley– Mrs Martin seems unwell, & doubtful whether she may not be prevented from leaving England .. which I shall be very sorry for– The weather you have had, must be bad for everybody—though my comfort is that the object of our especial care is not likely to be affected by climate to any great degree– We have seen no fire yet,—& I cant wear anything warmer than silk, though I tried for a day– Peni is well– I do hope & trust that the governess has acceded to terms, & has arrived– [10] Let Arabel write & tell me about her, & how Henrietta likes her– It will be a relief to Henrietta to feel a reliable person at hand.
Answer the question by message or otherwise about the expences of re-nominating the trustee. Sir Joseph Arnould wrote in reply to Robert’s letter of condolence, that he had taken another wife “young & pretty”! [11] also, that the distance obliged him to give up the trusteeship. I want to know, George, whether it is lawful for trustees to permit us to transfer our funded money .. in case we chose it .. in case you “defend” any more & increase the income tax. May one ask also whether you quarrelled with Mr Chorley about me at all? May God bless you & love you– I love you all as a human being may. Oh for a letter of encouragement–
Will Arabel forward this little note to Mr Chapman [12] after reading it to ascertain whether Henrietta has seen the two books mentioned? [13] Dearest George I accept your resolution about the house–
Your own Ba
Robert’s & Pen’s true love.
I bid <Chap>man send the books to Arabel—for Henrietta.
Address: Angleterre / George G Moulton Barrett Esqre / Stoke Court / Taunton / Somersetshire.
Publication: B-GB, pp. 247–249.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. Year provided by postmark.
3. We have been unable to confirm this statement.
4. “He is too good-natured, that poor Garibaldi!–”
7. Giuletta Fardella (1821–88), wife of Vincenzo Fardella, Marchese di Torrearsa (1808–89), a Sicilian patriot who became a prefect of Florence and, later, president of the senate (1870–74).
8. Charlotte Eleanor Orme (née Scarman), former governess to the Moulton-Barrett children, was alive. She died, aged 75, on 19 April 1862 at 9 Napier Road, Kensington.
9. Maria Margaret Robson (née Orme, 1805–91), daughter of Charlotte Orme, had married Thomas Charles Robson in 1834. “Charlotte” refers to Mrs. Robson’s daughter, Charlotte Eleanor Thomima Robson (b. 1837).
11. Ten months after the death of Joseph Arnould’s first wife, Maria (see letter 4488, note 4), he married on 28 May 1860 at Byculla, Bombay, Ann Pitcairn (née Carnegie, 1839–1922), daughter of Major John William Carnegie (1814–84) and his wife, Jane (née Scott, 1813–1907).
12. The note has not surfaced.
13. Probably Miss Sewell’s Amy Herbert (1844) and Ursula (1858).
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