714. EBB to Septimus Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 202–203.
[Torquay]
[Postmark: 18 October 1839]
My dearest Sette’s repeated letters which always make me jump a little way into the air to meet them, have not, nevertheless, had one expression of gratitude from me all to himself. So that my conscience ought to begin the pricking system, as well as his. I told Arabel to leave me the corners which she has done—but without leaving the necessary accompaniment of time to write in them [1] —it being past nine o clock on friday morning at this moment of this being consigned to my hands. We try to console ourselves for losing Georgie, [2] by thinking & saying over & over again, that you will be glad to have him. After all it is scarcely sufficiently consolatory––if I may answer for the most selfish of us. You do not say what you think of his personal improvement––& whether my belief of his cheeks looking more rural, is or is not a fond illusion on my part. I was sure you wd approve of Brozie’s water color drawings. I did not see those which he sent to London; but his general progress is certainly very encouraging—& he does not falter or slacken yet in application, which is the great means. Arabel went with Bummy to Upton yesterday, & brought home a sketch of the stony valley—intended for an oil painting. She & Bummy & a donkey went all together.—— She has, I hope, given an improved account of me. Dr Scully [3] said yesterday that the “storm was almost past”—& for the first time, wished me to remain half an hour on the sofa—intimating that the time shd be gradually extended, & that, if the weather were good, I might be in the drawing room some time in the course of next week. This was a good deal for him to say—considering the timidity he has shown hitherto about my moving—even advising me to confine the bed making to three times a week! & it proves how very much calmer the action of the heart must be. I was beginning to think that my adjacency to the drawing room wd prove of little advantage for a long time.– The house appears to be very warm.– Whenever you write, do tell us everything you all do—bad or good. Even walking up stairs is an interesting circumstance. May He who is near to the far, bless you with the chief blessings in Christ Jesus. I love you all too much instead of too little—so I need not say I love you. Was it explained to dear Trippy, how the second goose failed Crow? I hope so. Tell her she is to write her own letters. Love to my beloved Papa & everybody—never forgetting dear Minny.
Your most affectionate Ba.
Address, on integral page: Mr Septimus Barrett / 50. Wimpole Street / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Gordon E. Moulton-Barrett.
1. This letter accompanies messages by Arabella Graham-Clarke and Arabella Moulton-Barrett. It is written on the final page of a four-page letter (SD1059), in spaces not occupied by the address (which is in EBB’s hand).
2. He had left Torquay on 11 October, after a protracted stay with EBB.
3. Dr. Barry had died on 2 October; the shock of his death had an adverse effect on EBB’s fragile health. To replace him, a senior local doctor, William Scully (1778–1842), was called in (see SD1058).
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