SD959. John Altham Graham-Clarke, Jr. to Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 342 (in part).
Frocester nr Stroud
Novr 27th 1838–
My dear Sam.
Your letter has been but this instant placed in my hands, by my father but just returned from Kinnersley and on a matter of such importance it would be criminal in me to cause a delay of even five minutes. Astonishment I assure you can convey no adequate idea of the surprize [sic] I feel at being called in question in so point blank and decided a manner. Of Mr Palmer I never knew anything excepting as the most distant acquaintance, indeed so trifling & so small our intercourse that it required a considerable effort of memory, to assure my self that he had ever existed. Of the rest your own senses can assure you. Good God! to imagine that I could thus gratify the curiosity & malice of strangers at the expense of my relations.– I will not however work myself up into a rage about, so barefaced an assertion. I only recommend Mr Palmer a better memory and a little more caution before he appears again in public, as the denouncer of private character. If he refers to me I beg to tell him he is mistaken and that as he has drawn such a picture as you represent, I never supplied him with either outline or colouring– As to the matter I should I think treat it with the contempt it deserved but should this letter be of any use, pray apply it to the utmost which may suit your purpose. Should I be again called upon I need not say how happy I shall be to come forward—but here I hope this cold blooded matter will rest– I am delighted to hear better accounts from Torquay– The post I am sorry to say waits & I have but a moment when I should especially like 1/2 an hour at least, I however hope I shall not be long before I have an opportunity of tipping you a line, since as I was told in Ireland, the other day, here you are again on t’other side the water. Believe me
Yr aff cousin
J A G Clarke Jr–
Address, on integral page: Saml M. Barrett. Esqre / 50. Wimpole Street / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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