4875. EBB to Arabella Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 29, 77–80.
126 Via Felice.
Saturday. [?20] [April 1861] [1]
Ever beloved Arabel,
Your photograph is exquisite—your letter only half as good– In fact it does pain me to think of your having been ill in that sort of way, not only for what is past but because attacks of the kind often leave a great susceptibility .. which requires the climate & care which no human voice will ever talk you into. No—the morals of the body are not taken into account as they will be when we understand things better. The very persons who scruple at the slightest approach to spiritual danger, think it rather fine & religious to neglect their health—and that is a mistake. Now; certain I am that you have not worn flannel waistcoats & long sleeves as I besought you .. for all the exceptional cold: and there you live on winter after winter by the side of a London canal, in spite of prayers & promises … because “you cant be away from home so long–”!
See how it is– I’m in a horrible humour to think of it– There’s the truth. Mark how everything bad began with me from a simple attack of congestion .. just so! And you have a delicate chest,—& that glandular affection is very unfavourable to colds on the chest, remember .. or learn– Do have mercy on us all—& on me chiefly, my dearest darling one Arabel. I feel as if I could’nt bear to have you ill, dear, dear– I cant of course drag you to Italy against your will– I must take what I can get of you– But it does seem to me that you should dress in winter as Penini for instance does,—& that, if you cant<wont> [2] come to the south of Europe, you should manage to go down to Hastings for the colder season– I cannot distinguish between direct & indirect suicide.!
Of course, what you say is true, .. that you were weaker & more susceptible than usual this winter– But then the more reason for caution. I speak now of course for the future– Next winter you ought to take care– You ought.
Meanwhile, my darling, I accept the bit of you (one handful) you consent to give me– Ah dearest Minny!– What you said of her disappointment pricked me in the heart. But did she or any of you think I could ....? And then, there are other years– Robert’s father is older than dear Minny, [3] & he has a claim on us this present year for the three months we shall devote to him—dont you think so? Also, for us to go to London to keep you there by that beautiful canal you have set Pen longing after so, when you ought to have a complete change of air & scene, … would be wrong in itself,—if I had the heart for it I have’nt–
Do you know, in going to France, I seem to myself to be performing to Robert’s family a super-natural feat of duty. Were everything else equal, I might prefer almost going into a London crowd, … I shut my eyes & take a long breath– Yes, you know a little. A mere whirlpool of complete strangers would be more bearable in certain respects– They dont come as close as to rub– But it must be done, you see– Yes, I am weak– I have not been out as usual in a Roman winter,—though the weather has been mild, & though, (strange to say), I have had no regular attack as I had last winter .. ten days in bed with a blister ad infinitum, in spite of Rome– No, this time, it has been otherwise,—& the weakness, proceeding a good deal from nervous depressions, seems on the way to depart– I am going out to drive––& the open air sets one up at once– So that’s not worth naming. People recommend to me the taking of Bourbon whiskey as a new remedy for weak chests—and I shall certainly try it, though it sounds a demoralizing complication–
Darling Arabel, the photograph!– Penini will write & thank you. As for me, dear, believe in my gratitude for this by my persistance in pleading for one for myself! if you have another to give in charity– Oh Arabel—it is lovely– Robert fell into a soliloquy over it, & protested that “always he loved you”—and as for me, I spoke that silently– Very like, very pleasing– “How pretty,” says somebody. A little melancholy—not your sweetness of good humour– But I cannot criticize– Robert was so proud of it that off he rushed with it in his pocket to publish it in Rome– And, Arabel, I am sorry for you– But you are said to be the literal copy of Rachel’s sister, [4] who is exhibited as a semi-nude model in photograph here—with a pearl necklace, & drapery round the hips. The men in Mr Story’s studio declared it was the same .. only, “divenuta ricca” .. & “meno giovane,” [5] .. seeing that your “double” was only seventeen when represented by the sun,—& you look fully twenty five– [6]
How wonderful these photographs are! This is the best English one I ever saw. Tell me if everybody does’nt praise it– And let me tell you that your dress is the counterpart of mine– The difference is, that I have a plain cloth skirt,—and that the crape-trimming round the jacket, is not plaited, but just folded. In return I send you a photograph of Robert, [7] which I consider very perfect– Tell me your thought.
Love me my darling—do love me– I shant give up having you in Italy, though you are so naughty– In fact, if it were not for the Brownings I would sulk on this side the Alps till I got you over this summer. The heat would’nt hurt you, I think– But its a duty to go to Robert’s father. Peni had two back teeth drawn the other day without word or sigh,—& was much praised. He said in going to bed, .. “It has been a most painful & happy day—for Papa called me a bene”– There were too many teeth. Oh yes—quantities of grand people here—but I remain cold to such as have called on me– Better, you will say. Ba’s passions are often not fortunate. Order Agnes Tremorne from Mudie, for love of me, darling. Pray for me & love me as your very own Ba–
Publication: EBB-AB, II, 524–527.
Manuscript: Gordon E. Moulton-Barrett.
1. Conjectural dating based on EBB’s reference to “going out to drive.” In letter 4885, she remarks: “I am stronger, & have been out driving several times.”
2. “Wont” is written above “cant.”
3. By three years.
4. One of three sisters, then living, of Elisabeth Félix (1821–58), the famous French tragedienne—better known by the single name “Rachel” or “Mlle. Rachel.” The youngest of these sisters, all actresses, was Mélanie Emilie (“Dinah”) Félix (1836–1909).
5. “‘Grown rich’ .. & ‘less young.’”
6. This photograph by the London Stereoscopic Co. is reproduced facing p. 177.
7. Probably the bust portrait, which EBB considered beautiful. It is reproduced in vol. 28, facing p. 304.
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