SD978. Edward Moulton-Barrett (father) to Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 344 (in part).
Torquay
Jany. 11th 1839.
My dear Sam
I was happy to receive your letter, first as communicating the happy intelligence that you had escaped the two returns which the fever had considered to have been his; & now that you have made such inroads on his supposed rights, I trust that you will boldy [sic] maintain them, & fairly rout the trespasser– I suppose Ba in recommending the use of Arsenic, did it upon the known fact of its efficiency in destroying all vermin, dont mistake, she did not mean to class you with the breed, but your assailant. However she has the authority of her Doctor that arsenic is a specific for the ague fever. Your letter was satisfactory also in letting us know that you were all well; long may you continue so.
I am sorry to say that my letter from Car[e]y is very far from satisfactory; He says that several People have already left the Pen from jealousy or dislike of Samuels, others have objected to pay rent or work for the property, these are to be ejected as soon as the three months have expired unless they come into terms; but what avail Terms, when they so easily break them, as from your information they had formerly entered into a Contract, which they have set at nought– He adds matters are going on in a very unsatisfactory way, no dependance can be placed on the people for continuous work, sometimes they turn out in tolerable numbers for a few days & then leave, & when any Job is to be done, no persuasion will induce them to undertake it unless for high wages– Cornwall People are behaving pretty well, but Cinnamon Hill far otherwise, not averaging more than 20 in the field for 4 days for many weeks past– The seasons continued favorable, but the want of laborers to apply the manure will be felt very seriously in the Crop, which will be very short– So for Car[e]y–
Farquharson is ill & his clerk writes me, that Farquharson visited the Estates the week preceding, & found things going on well, particularly at Cambridge, which he says is in a state of high cultivation, & if the Seasons continue good the Crop will give me satisfaction; at Oxford not so well, the Canes not being yet all cleared, but that the present Overseer was exerting himself to get the property in order– I very much doubt the correctness of the report respecting Grignon’s success among the laborers, if it be true, he has been very much belied as a Manager, but can it be credited that the People will work for him for so much less than for others– It is all fudge; Whose authority have you for it–
Bruce’s opinion, in my mind, is not rather, but altogether against me, does not our Lawyer think so; What would be the effect of the [illegible word] at Law’s interference? For my part I think I had better abandon the suit– It will bring much vexation & expense, & as it appears to me, little hope of a successful result– Desire George to see Cross & talk to him about it, & then write to me what he would advise, but seeing there is not time for me to receive his letter before the Packet sails, you must send Gordon & Bruce’s Opinion to Anderson, telling him of my absence fro<m Lo>ndon, & that the disposition of my Mind is not <to> enter into further litigation about this Property, which I supp<ose> is lost–
I am sorry to hear of Welch’s view in the Cause of Parsons, for it is a rascally business, & I am very unwilling he should thus triumph over me—but I suppose I must acquiesce in it– I brought the wrong Vols of Plato– I therefore beg that you will send the 5th 6th & 9th & Ba adds a quantity of letters, as least one from each Person—& desire Sette to pack up with them a capital 12th Cake with Characters, as I was disappointed in getting one at Exeter—& altho late, better so than never– Dont let it grease the Books– Our dear Patient has had three good, good for her, nights, & I trust under the blessing of our Lord is going on well, altho no symptom has ceased of an unpleasant nature– Tell dear Annie with my best love, that when I return I shall be jealous without she gives me also a visit, as this is particularly to you– I hope all are well in Wimpole St & that Miss L. Tulk is better– Love to Treppy, who, I hope has settled herself before this– All better at the Braddons– I see by the Papers that the accounts from |Duncan| are still bad, we shall have Sugars before the summer is over at 1/6 a lb Has Sughrue got the |Rum| & what is he to pay for the mules?
Yrs very affectionately
E M Barrett
Address, on integral page: S. M. Barrett Esqre / 50. Wimpole Street / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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