548.5. John Kenyon to EBB
Addendum to The Brownings’ Correspondence, vol. 3.
13. Pulteney St Bath
Decr16, 1836
My dear Cousin
We are all Cousins in Jamaica but I never allow it except as to folks I am, in some way or other proud of—I do not disavow you– But I have but few minutes and must make haste– My object then in writing is to thank you again for your criticisms– I have read them and adopted nine out of ten—and where I have not profited by the tenth it has rarely been from want of agreement– Even some of the dyssyllables are gone– My inversions (under your mission) have become conversions– My serpents have owned the incantation and—as I hope—hiss less—the harsh lines—some of ’em—sound less like hand saws—some are obstinate– I find that those who insist on packing into portmanteaus or verses more than they can reasonably hold, must expect to have their things crinkled—is that the word?
But I do not only thank you for the trouble you have taken (so useful to me,) but for the great amusement you have afforded me by your manner of doing your criticisms– I quite understand your good natured feeling in mingling up so much pleasantry—so gracefully—with your corrections– I assure you I have not been so agreeably tickled with any pleasantries for a long time—and have found myself (more than smiling) laughing aloud at your playfulness—yr blushing ghosts &c—long after midnight, when all have been fast locked but myself– Truly, Child, when you get tired of your more pensive Muses—I will set you to write dainty comedies–
In my hurry I am telling you all this very awkwardly– I can hardly save the post, but I do tell it you—not only that you may know how docile but because I am quite sure that in your sensitiveness you have said to yourself a dozen times “I wonder what he thinks of my remarks—” |taking| all the time the argument up against yourself– You tell me not to spoil you—I shall not do that—“Good children can’t be spoiled”– Pray remember me kindly to your circle & to Miss Trepsack when she makes use of it– I have just received from Harness a note to ask me to come to town—or rather if I am coming to town—to dine with Mrs Butler at Christmas– I wish I could come—for independent of such agreeable this I like London better than Bath. Excuse all mistakes and believe me
My dear Miss Barrett
Your obliged
J. Kenyon
My good brother in law is recovering fast.
Address, on integral page: To / Miss Barrett / No 74 Glocester [sic] Place.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
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