489. EBB to Ann Rachel Commeline
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 3, 102-103.
[Sidmouth]
[14 September 1834] [1]
I am afraid that there can be no chance of my handwriting at least being unforgotten, by you, dear Miss Commeline, but in the case of your having a very long memory you may remember the name which shall be written at the end of this note, and which belongs to one who does not, nor is likely to forget you! I was much, much obliged to you for the kind few lines you wrote to me—how long ago! No, do not remember how long—do not remember that for fear you should think me unkind, and—what I am not! I have intended again & again to answer your note and I am doing it—at last! Are you all quite well? Mrs Commeline & all of you? Shall I ever see any of you again? Perhaps I shall not, but even if I do not, I shall not cease to wish you to be well and happy “in the body or out of the body.” [2]
We came to Sidmouth for two months and you see we are here still; & when we are likely to go is as uncertain as ever. I like the place, & some of its inhabitants. I like the greenness and the tranquillity & the sea; and the solitude of one dear seat which hangs over it, and which is too far or too lonely for many others to like besides myself.
We are living in a thatched cottage, with a green lawn bounded by a Devonshire lane. Do you know what that is? Milton did when he wrote of ‘hedgerow elms & hillocks green.’ [3] Indeed Sidmouth is a nest among elms; and the lulling of the sea & the shadow of the hills make it a peaceful one. But there are no majestic features in the country. It is all green & fresh & secluded; and the grandeur is concentrated upon the ocean without deigning to have anything to do with the earth. I often often find my thoughts where my footsteps once used to be! but there is no use in speaking of that.
Henrietta & Arabel have had a drawing master & been sketching indefatigably, ever since we came here. Their sketches are therefore very numerous and very pretty. We are all quite well. Dear Papa misses I am afraid his farm and his active occupations, but he is content with sitting to read in the house or with going out to stroll. From our dear brother we hear regularly. The accounts of his health are always cheering: but I never can be happy about him until I see him in England. Mrs Sam Barrett [4] returned by a late vessel, on account of her health which has long been delicate & when she is quite strong again, she is to rejoin Sam. I understand that she is very pleasing and gentle—but I cannot help thinking of the past & of the gone tho’ unforgotten! My brothers Stormie and George are still at Glasgow with Dr Wardlaw & there they will remain until next May. We parted with them one year ago. Is your sister Maria’s health better than it used to be? Give my love to her and to Laura & to Mrs Commeline & give besides my kind remembrances to Mr Commeline & to your brother.
Pray believe me, affectionately yours,
E B Barrett.
P.S. I have heard of the death of our dear Aunt Mrs Butler at Dieppe last month. Miss Clarke was there at the sorrowful time and has now gone on to Italy to my aunt & uncle Hedley. We have been expecting here Mr James Clarke but it seems a vain expectation!
Publication: LEBB, I, 26–27 (in part, as 22 September).
Source: Kenyon Typescript, British Library.
1. This is obviously the enclosure of the previous letter. Kenyon probably used a postmark to obtain his dating.
2. II Corinthians, 12:3.
3. Milton’s “L’Allegro,” line 58, slightly misquoted.
4. EBB’s uncle’s second wife, Anne Eliza (née Gordon), whom he married on 23 April 1833.
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