633. EBB to John Kenyon

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 33–34.

50 Wimpole Street.

Monday. [late May 1838] [1]

My dear Mr Kenyon,

The gift of the fossils is only too kind—and my brothers are both glad & grateful—and I am their thanks bearer, though “so late in the day”.

I am very sorry to hear that you are suffering so much in this universal plague of colds. To prove my own strict veracity I must confess to having a cold too, which, as all my colds make a point of doing, has diverged to my chest & increased the cough today & yesterday. I am however more comfortable this evening & hope to be still more so tomorrow, & have not been bad enough at the worst of the badness, to trouble Dr Chambers about it.

You may be sure that I shall see my book & think of you just at the same time—particularly as Papa tried to frighten me yesterday by hypothesizing that you will not like it. If the gentle critics grow severe, what will be done (or suffered) with the ungentle?–

Ever truly yours

E B Barrett.

Address, on integral page: John Kenyon Esqr / 4. Harley Place.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.

1. Dated by the reference to EBB’s cold and cough, mentioned in the previous letter.

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