580. EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 3, 266–267.
[London]
Thursday. [?10] [August 1837] [1]
My dear Mr Boyd,
Have you thought it right or wrong in me, that I have not been to see you since Annie’s marriage? Is Miss Smith [2] with you? Have the Miss Heards come? [3] And in the case of your being more alone than I have fancied, would you like or care at all about seeing me?– These are questions enough: but I must ask another—for we want to know where Annie is gone—to Seven Oaks or Norfolk,—and whether you have her exact direction. She mentioned Seven Oaks to us; and since then, we have heard that she went another way. It was very stupid of us, to have asked nothing about it, on the wedding day—and yet it would have been very strange if we had not been stupid on such an occasion.
My Seraphim are finished—and behold, I have made a poem within twenty one lines of being as long as the Prometheus bound—I mean, my Prometheus bound,—not Æschylus’s, which, to my shame be it spoken, [4] is rather shorter than mine. And now you have only to make vows against it’s ever being printed,—seeing that you once made a rash promise of reading it, if it ever came into print. It is irregular enough to drive you distracted—to say nothing of the united voices of Good angels, evil angels, the Earth itself, and all other things in heaven and earth. [5]
Talking of distraction, allow me to congratulate you on your prudence and patriotism, in ousting the two tories for Belfast, and electing Radicals. You will be glad to hear, that Mr OConnell is particularly gratified. [6]
Your affectionate friend
E B Barrett.
Address, on integral page: Hugh S Boyd Esqr / 3 Circus Road / St John’s Wood.
Publication: Weaver, p. 416.
Manuscript: Huntington Library.
1. Dated by reference to the parliamentary elections.
2. Assumed to be one of the family of Adam Clarke’s youngest daughter, Mrs. Smith, who was a close friend of Boyd.
3. Daughters of Capt. Robert Heard (b. 1790), of the Mercantile Marine, and his wife, Mary (b. ca. 1791, née Lemen): Mary Eliza (1816–81), Patience (d. 1840, aged 18), and Catherine (afterwards Horncastle, ca. 1825–90). They were friends of Boyd and acquaintances of EBB from Hope End days.
4. Cf. I Henry IV, V, 1, 93.
5. Cf. Hamlet, I, 5, 166.
6. In the election of 5 August, the Conservative candidates, James Emerson Tennent, who was the sitting member, and George Dunbar were defeated by the Liberals James Gibson and the Earl of Belfast. Mr. O’Connell’s gratification was short-lived, as a petition was lodged in September alleging fraudulent returns. Following investigations, the Liberals were unseated and the seats assigned to the Conservatives.
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