463. EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 3, 51–52.
Sidmouth. Rafarel House.
August 30th 1832.
My dearest friend,
When I saw the death of Dr Adam Clarke [1] mentioned in the paper today, I thought I would write to you. I know that the event is one likely to give you pain and that its suddenness may have startled and agitated you. I should like to know how you feel about it; but I cannot know it now when I am more than sixty miles away from you. The loss of your distinguished friend, to the world as well as to his immediate acquaintances, is a great & peculiar affliction: great, because the loss of no ordinary man can be compared to it,—and peculiar, because it would not be lawful or indeed reasonable, to mourn as for common mortal dust, over one, whose spirit we know to be shining as the stars, with those who have turned many to righteousness. He has lived a long life—he has fought a good fight, & finished his course; and if it ended abruptly at the last, and no warning hand was extended to his suffering friends to point out their impending affliction, yet it must be their consolation to consider, that the very abruptness of his departure was the means made use of, by the God whom he acknowledged in death, to avert from him the common infirmities of age—the weakening of the flesh, and the clouding of the spirit. As it was, the sight of his intellect remained undimmed,—and while it was fixed by the light of faith, on the face of his Lord, that face was at once revealed to him in the perfect & immortal light which shines after death. He was not forced to sit down in his master’s vineyard—he could work until the last; and he was about his Father’s business until He was called to his Father’s house. And in that house, how many happy beings were prepared to welcome him—many whom he had loved in the flesh—more whom he had loved and benefitted in the spirit; and among them all, & above them all, the “well done, thou good & faithful servant” [2] from the lips of Jesus. Oh! who can stand in this world of doubt & sorrow & sin, & weep for those who are here no longer—except from very selfishness? From that very selfishness—for my sake more than for yours—I must hope & pray that your years of time may be long. But when they last no longer, may you my dearest friend, be reunited in bonds stronger than earthly friendship, unto him, who was among the just, upon earth, and is, in Heaven, among the just made perfect. May this be, for the sake of Christ!—the Justifier!–
Reading over the last few sentences, one sentence among them has made me smile. It is the one which begins—“From that very selfishness &c”! As if I were sure of living to see your “long life” out! I was thinking of my being younger than you, when I wrote it; but altho’ I am younger, you are certainly likely enough to out live me by years & years. It is a happy circumstance for human beings, that the measuring out of human life, is not entrusted to the hands of Time.
Papa has not arrived yet. Yesterday, I walked my donkey into the sea above its knees;—and tomorrow I am going to walk it up a very high cliff,—that I may try every element by turns, air as well as water. They all climbed it yesterday, by means of a path cut in the rock, & thought the scenery so “exquisite”, that I must run the risk of my neck—or nec sopor nec quies. [3] I have slept better, & been much cooler,—as far as the body goes,—within the last few days. My love to Mrs Boyd & Annie.
Ever yours affectionately
E B Barrett.
I have received such a very kind letter from Lady Margaret Cocks!—— Mr & Mrs Hering with whom I told you Papa was slightly acquainted, are the only persons who have yet called upon us. They have been as kind & attentive as if they were our near relations. The place is very full—and there is so much quadrilling & cricketting, that nobody can doubt its intellectuality.
Address, on integral page: H S Boyd Esqr / Bath Hampton / Bath.
Publication: EBB-HSB, pp. 195–197.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. Clarke died from an attack of cholera on 26 August 1832.
2. Matthew, 25:21.
3. “Neither sleep nor rest.”
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