6.5. Mary Moulton-Barrett to EBB
Addendum to The Brownings’ Correspondence, vol. 1.
[?Hope End]
[ca. 1811] [1]
My own darling Ba
When I heard Tom blowing his horn to-night, I came running as fast as I could into the house in hopes of having a letter from dear Papa, & I was very sorry indeed not to find any letter, however I remembered that it is sensible not to cry when we cannot get what we wish for like the silly child who cried for the moon, but to be patient & bear disappointment as well as you & Bro try to bear pain, which I always respect you for so very much; he is a dear kind little boy & loves you so, that he could not help being very sorry after you were gone away, but as people who are good & busy & useful, deserve to be happy, after Bro read his lesson very well, he was as merry as ever, & he went with Mama to see how the beer is made, & to the carpenters shop, & we staid so long to see the useful man make bricks, that Bro knows what a mould is, & knows how to mix the clay, so he will be able to help you, better than Harry could help Lucy. We have been in the Park all to-day it was so fine, & after dinner Bro & dear Harry went with Charlotte & Mama to fly the kite, & it flew very well indeed, untill it left its tail on the top of an apple tree but all this amusement does not make us so happy, as we are when those two dearest people, Papa & Ba are here; Bro wishes for you every day, & Harry parry points to the window & says dare!– I hope Grand mama will not quite eat you up, kiss her, & Papa, & Trepsack for me. I know how happy you must be, & that you are never idle. I feel very stupid without you to read our dear History of England, & to travel with me to Iceland. Bro tries to make Hentta play with him, but she cannot be any thing, but a lady sitting in a carriage & he is the coachman. little Mary laughs all day. good night to my sweetest Puss, I am so sleepy, I must go to bed. Charlotte & Bro, Hentta, & Mama send 20 kisses—I think you will <***>
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
1. The dating is based on the watermark (1810) and the fact that Samuel (born 13 January 1812) is not mentioned. Those mentioned are Bro (Edward), Harry/Harry parry (Henrietta), and baby Mary (b. 1810).
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