712. EBB to Mary Russell Mitford

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 197–198.

Torquay

Sunday. [?22] [September 1839] [1]

Ever dearest Miss Mitford,

I am so grieved to hear this bad news .. I mean of your having been so unwell. But I should wait until tomorrow’s post to say so, when I might say more besides than a great hurry & departing post will admit of now. My single reason for writing now is to apprize you that I have been troubled by neither proof nor revise! Is it right or a mistake? If a mistake, will it be one likely to involve others .. in the printing?——

May God bless you both!——

I am in such a hurry.

But ever your

Elizabeth B Barrett.

Publication: EBB-MRM, I, 158 (as [29? September 1839]).

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

1. Dated by the reference to proofs of EBB’s poems for Findens’ Tableaux; EBB’s comment about Miss Mitford’s “improved health” in her letter of 27 September obviously follows the concern expressed here.

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