SD967. Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother) to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 343 (in part).
London
Decr 26th 1838
My dearest Henrietta
We recieved [sic] your letter about an hour since & though you evidently were half asleep when you wrote the latter part of it, or perhaps rather mystified by your over nights indulgence, we are still thankful to you for your account of dear Ba which we all flatter ourselves is rather of a favorable description: we all feel, & I <thi>nk, the Governor amongst the number, that dear Ba has greater confidence in her Medical adviser, if this be so in reality a great point is gained without the aid of either your detestable drugs or Bro’s sanguinary recommendations. I ought I believ<e> according to customs to wish you abundant Christmas Enjoyments in the way of Turkey, Mince Pies, Punch, &c &c. This I do most sincerely to each & all of you, may your desires be gratified to the utmost; it has been a source of great disappointment to me in being thus separated at this season; I shall however Endeavour to make up for in it as Early as possible: We amused ourselves yesterday in devouring a Turkey & endeavouring to perform the same good offices for a round of Beef weighing lbs 52; In the Evg I proposed a jorum of Punch which I <a>ccordingly manufactured in the best Ja<ma>ica style, & though Treppy declared it to be to<o> Potent, I managed to find customers even for the dregs, we concluded the festivities with a very learned discussion on Taxidermy, & the pleasure of skinning a John |Cooke| I was carried up stairs by Seppy, so leave you to draw your conclusions. James wrote to George yesterday asking me to go down to the North, this is quite out of the question as you may suppose; I imagine from this he has abandoned all intention of coming down here. You will be surprized [sic] to hear my business with the Governor not having yet concluded, he not having yet overlooked my Books; we are however on the best of terms & have nightly discussions till generally 12 or 1, on Jamaica subj<ects> sometimes warmly debated on both sides. I know Bro would be glad at the late Ox & Camb a<pp>ointments, & so am I; though not much to my >a>dvantage, I only becoming attorney, or age<n>t in any way, unless Jump dies or leaves the Island; the former I should much regret the latter is not probable. The Governor has however done the best he could do for the Estates; I shall I believe go back as Overseer only for Cin. Hill. a year or two will I trust brings better things. Anne I have seen three times, & I think her looking exceedingly well; this is not however the general opinion, though in my opinion she is as well as ever I saw her. My gaities here are very limited, George Daisey & I are going to the Harmonic Society Exeter Hall on Friday next, where we Promise ourselves much pleasure & amusement. I seldom go anywhere, all my fashionable friends being out of Town: it is yet uncertain when I can follow their example; The Governor has sent up to say, “you are not to expect him till you see him.[”] With these two very satisfactory explanations of our movements you must for the present be satisfied. My best love to dear Jane & party, we had hoped she had recovered from the attack Entirely, but we regret to find from your letter this morng how unwell she still remains. Mr Kenyon has just been here to enquire about Ba, who I trust will feel duly honoured; he looks exceedingly well & in good spirits– My best love to all your Party
& Believe me
My dearest Henrietta
Affectionately Yrs
S M Barrett.
Address, on integral page: Miss H Barrett / 3. Beacon Terrace / Torquay / Devon.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
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