663.5. EBB to Thomas Kibble Hervey

Addendum to The Brownings’ Correspondence, vol. 4.

Torquay

Saturday [?8] [September 1838] [1]

Sir,

I send you the little poem which will probably appear to you no excuse at all for the delay in sending it until the latest day you granted to me. It may be of too grave a character to suit your work—and indeed I do wish I had been sure enough of even the length of time which was permitted, to have attempted something—notwithstanding my very ill health—more lively & interesting to the general reader– I trust however that you will not consider yourself bound to make use of these verses—far less to displace for their sake what may better please the public–

If you do use them, will you, in the case of its being consistent with your plans as editor, allow me to correct a proof?– I am here for the winter. And will you,—if you do not—have the goodness to return them to me?–

With many thanks for your very courteous letter

I remain, Sir,

respectfully yours

Eliz B Barrett–

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

1. By 27 September 1838 EBB had corrected & returned the proof of “A Sabbath on the Sea” (see letter 665.1).

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