817. EBB to Septimus Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 5, 52–54.
[Torquay]
Friday. June 11th 1841
My dearest Set,
To show that I am not ripe with ingratitude,—which wd be like a medlar, ripe & rotten at once,—here I am writing to you at last!– Thank you my dear dear Set for all your kind letters, inclusive of the one received yesterday. If I never loved you in my life before I should be forced to do it now.
There you see is my “compliment” in exchange for yours!—and both compliments, unlike their race, are worth something. And if I do not say besides that I [1] too will be “pretty considerable jolly” to see you, yet the thankfulness & contentment will be deeper perhaps on my side—ought to be & must be.
As to ‘deciding’ my own dear Set, that does not belong to me, nor will I try that it should. Our dear Papa is in possession of all my thoughts wrong or right, & I am waiting now for his ‘finality-measure’. In the case of his still leaning to Clifton on account of a personal preference, [2] I wont say a rebellious word more—only reserving my own right of solitude next winter under certain circumstances: and in the case of its seeming good to him to meet me somewhere twenty miles from London, more or less, why I shall be equally pleased with any place—not only equally contented, but equally pleased. Dr Scully says “Why there are a hundred places near London, from Twickenham to Windsor, & one as good as another”. And do understand that the only object I have in the world is to be with you all, & not in danger of being separated again. That is all I care for in the world. So settle it, you who have wider carings & a more extended ‘point of sight’.
<…> [3]
Arabel tells me that she told you of Miss Mitford’s proposition; [4] but dont take it into your heads that I have taken that into mine. I have taken nothing into my head. I wish for nothing except what you read in my confession– And indeed to confess a little more, I have scarcely strength of heart & spirits to consider with any fixed & unwavering pleasure the vicinity of even Miss Mitford, though I dearly love her. I want you—just you.
So do you, just you, settle how it is to be.
Only remember my carriage. Has anybody enquired about the carriage, so as to be sure of the easiest? Dr Scully’s favorite balloon wont do, you see—and it wd be foolish to run an unnecessary risk. I was up yesterday for an hour, & might have stayed much longer, had there been anything to gain by it. The day before he wd not let me move: and indeed the change of weather here from intense heat to wintry cold was trying, without stirring to meet it– Yesterday was warmer again, & today seems warm– Perhaps I shall be up again today. Quite ready to go, & more than willing—that is my account of me.
Dear Joc is well—but Arabel, through manifold imprudences, I must say & scold, has had some return of the swelled face,—which however is better, & has not caused her, at the worst, a great deal of pain. Stormie, on the other hand, I am sorry to say, was very far from being well yesterday, & is not, however better, very near, today. It was sickness & headache—nothing to be uneasy about except in sympathy: and he has had recourse to sufficient remedies. Therefore by the time you read what I write, you may count upon his perfect convalescence,—& on Arabel’s also. Indeed if it were not for me, she wd be out walking now. But I wont let her.
She took Flush to Upton on tuesday, upon the Bible business—& he soon understood it so well, that he ran on before, & stopped & waited for her at every cottage,—and only troubled her upon three occasions when he met three cats & was thrown into paroxysms of fright. Flush does not seem to understand the glory of fighting– Whether through philosophy or good temper, “the pomp & circumstance of glorious war” [5] never move his ambition. Every other sort of understanding he possesses to a perfection wonderful considering his canineity. It amazes me to hear Crow talk to him with a full consciousness & expectation of the exercise of this faculty of comprehension—“Naughty Flush!– How dare you carry the shoes out of their place! How often have I spoken to you about it, Sir! No—you need’nt hold out your paw—I wont shake hands with you, I can assure you”. But if she threatens extreme punishment, he rushes to me & lays his head down on my shoulder.
Even Dr Scully said the other day “Really that dog seems to understand every word you say—. I met him on the stairs” (Flush has a great fancy for Dr Scully & always comes with him to my room, if not happening to be there before) “I met him on the stairs & just said “You must’nt come into Miss Barrett’s room Mr Flush,—your feet are dirty”,—& round he turned directly & walked away.”!– And Crow’s “Go away & lie down quietly”, or “go to the chair” or “go down stairs” or “go to Miss Barrett” are obeyed to the letter. He fixes his eyes on yours while you speak—obviously understanding. It is not gesture which is understood—it is verbal expression. Well, Set,—you shall see—you shall admire—you shall confess that nothing in dog-nature & your experience ever equalled this. Certainly there is Flush the elder, Miss Mitford’s Flush, who discerns as she assures me French from English. But then mine is young & too playful to be so deep a linguist,—hating indeed the discipline of the schools, & running away to me from everybody who wrongs him enough to attempt to teach him anything. Wait a little,—& he may understand Greek as well as Cerberus. [6] Why should’nt he?——
June 12.
Dearest Set, I wrote so far yesterday, forgetting the no-post—& now I may tell you that Arabel is well again, & even poor Stormie nearly so—only he has a headache tonight. They have all (except Stormie) been to Mudge’s farm with Miss Baldwin & little Fanny & the governess, [7] to have tea in an orchard—& I do hope Arabel’s part in the expedition will not be proved an imprudence. She is quite well now.
The weather is cold again—at least cold to me—cold out of the sun—with an east wind in supremacy. I am well however, but not out of bed.
Are you wrapt or rapt in politics, dear Set? Joc calls you a republican—“Set is a republican”. I hope the ministry will be strengthened to the strength of the Queen’s heart by the new elections, [8] & I think well enough of the popular intelligence to expect it.
May God bless you my dearest Set—my dearest Papa—my dearest all of you!– I will write to George. Decide about the house, arrange about the carriage—dont let me wait here—love me, & believe me ever your
own affecte
Ba.
Our love to your visitors——
Address: Mr Sept Barrett / 50, Wimpole Street / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Gordon E. Moulton-Barrett.
1. Underscored twice.
2. Clifton, close to Bristol, was yet another location being considered by EBB’s father for the family home, perhaps with the idea that EBB’s cousin, John Altham Graham-Clarke, and his wife, who lived there, would provide her with company.
3. A little over one line obliterated, apparently by EBB.
4. As letter 819 makes clear, Miss Mitford had told EBB of a house in her neighbourhood, suggesting that EBB ask her father to consider taking it.
5. Othello, III, 3, 354.
6. Pluto’s many-headed dog, the guardian of the gates of the underworld.
7. “Little Fanny” was EBB’s cousin, Fanny Hedley, so called to distinguish her from “Big Fanny,” their aunt Frances Butler. Miss Baldwin has not been identified.
8. A general election was pending, to vote for members of the new Parliament to meet on 19 August. However, rather than strengthening Melbourne’s administration, as EBB hoped, the election returned Peel to power with a majority of 76 seats.
___________________
