63. EBB to Mary Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 55.
[Hope End]
[February 1818] [1]
My very dear Mama
I beg you to look over this and to burn it if you find fault with it as I have only writen it for your inspection pray do not mention any thing about it [2] You will oblige me if you tell me exactly what you think of it it is not near finished– I hope you will tell me exactly the truth about it as it is a very |erring| humble attempt—which I am afraid I have failed in if I have pray do not be angry with me as it is writen with true humility dearest Mama do [3] send your thoughts in a note to me by John [4] to the schoolroom I await it anxiously do not disapoint
your affecte child
Ba
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
1. Mary Moulton-Barrett dated this letter “Feby 1818.”
2. What accompanied the letter is not known.
3. Underscored five times.
4. John Lane, one of the Hope End servants. He was employed principally in the house (letter 228 mentions his serving at table), but EBB refers to his acting as coachman also (Diary, p. 187).
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