SD981. Henrietta Moulton-Barrett to Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 345–346 (in part).
3 Beacon Terrace, Torquay
Saturday– [Postmark: 19 January 1839]
My own dearest Sam–
What am I to say to you?– If I were to meditate all day & all night I should not be able to satisfy myself in words wherewith to express the length & breadth of my thanks & also my admiration for your beautiful, most beautiful, & magnificent box—but why, why did you spend so much of your money upon me?—it must have cost you an emense [sic] sum!—dearest Sam, I shall indeed value it, not for itself alone, but because it is the gift of one I so dearly love– The names of the different woods I shall study till I become perfectly conversant with them all—the elegant little smelling boxes, & superb thimbles must have come out of Howell & James’s, I cannot believe (forgive me for saying so) that they could have been of Jamaican origin– I have already been examining it for two hours, & after I have written this, a great portion of the remainder of the day I shall devote to discovering all its beauty & perfection—but why did you give it to me dearest Sam?– It is really too handsome for me, & I think you had much better let me keep it for you, until you take to yourself a wife upon whom you may more deservedly bestow it– I am really serious– It will be a indeed be much the best plan—but thank you a thousand million times for all your affectionate kindness– Now I suppose I must go on to other subjects– We really had begun to think you had forgotten us altogether—but guessing how it was that we did not receive letters from any of you, we could not be angry with you, which Ba considered the most provoking part of the business– It is such a relief to scold, when angry fires are burning within– Ba had not heard from Arabel or any of you for ten days, notwithstanding the debt of gratitude you owed her for her lengthy letter—but you need not be uneasy now, you know she can forgive—& after all, she quite feels that you are not very much to blame, excepting for the Sunday om[m]ission, & I trust Arabel will not forget it again– I do not mean to say forget, for I am sure that is an accusation she never deserves– But I am loitering– The box arrived late last night after two weeks that Papa & Mr Hunter had to enquire for it—in the rain—it came after Ba had gone to bed– Consequently Papa would not allow her to be instructed of its arrival, lest the letters should disturb her slumbers—it was quite a mistaken notion I think– However she was not told of it, nor was the box opened until this morng—between prayers & breakfast time, just before Mr Hunter’s departure—so that he had just time to read Mary’s notes—& look at, but not to taste the cake– He remained with us longer than I thought he would, & (tell Mary) made himself as agreeable as he always does—he promises to come here again at Easter—but in spite of Ba’s entreaties I think he will not accept Dr Pye Smiths invitation until Midsummer– Then he will, if he be alive, & at the same time promises to pay us a visit in Wimpole Street, where if it pleases God we shall all [1] be assembled there– Ba has had great pleasure in his society, it has induced her to sit up an hour later at night, & to talk more than she ought to have done so Dr Barry threatened either to lock Ba up in her room, or to send Mr Hunter to Coventry—which so incensed the latter, that I really began to fear nothing less than a duel– However all these unlawful doings have not made our beloved Ba any worse– She did not sleep well last night, but she was a little excited before she went to bed in taking leave of Mr Hunter, & she looks sprightly this morng—the hoarseness is better– Mr Hunter thought her improved in appearance– It is my belief that she really is a little better– May God in his mercy continue the improvement!!– She was as pleased with her letters as I was wit<h> m<i>ne– Thank dearest Arabel for writing to me, & you too– We are so grateful to hear that horrible ague is going <away> from you, may we hear of no more returns of it—take care of yourself pray do– Your lionizing expedition is hardly suitable to you this weather, in spite of the veal pie—however I hope to hear you all enjoyed it, & that no bad effects have arisen from it, not even a fit of indigestion– You say nothing of coming here? What are you intentions on the subject? so come<—>& Arabel, I know not what is to be done—in spite of his prohibitions I would make another attempt if I thought it would produce any good effect, but I think Papa likes to act for himself on these occasions—& I fell sure he will act in her favor– I hope Minny may be wrong in her suspicions that Arabel fancies I am anxious to remain here on account of the gaiety– I am not anxious to do so atall, indeed I wish for the Contrary, because I know Ba is very desirous to see Arabel & Arabel must be so anxious to come here—but even if I were desirous to remain, in spite of my gay propensities, Minny ought to know if she does not, that they would be very secondary objects under present circumstances– To leave my beloved Ba, whether it is to be now, or later in the Spring. Of course I shall always feel the same degree of pain—but notwithstanding I am willing & desirous to relinquish my place– Minny need not fear that I shall injure Ba with my gaieties, the injury to myself I will give her leave to fear—with all the dreadful results she anticipates from it—but I can assure her they would soon cease altogether—were they to affect our dear Ba in any way– I sleep on a sofa in her room, & I have a dressing room to myself, therefore I make no noise whatever in her room—besides our parties are always very early ones generally– Minny’s sayings I know were all meant in kindness—& give her my love– Mary says dearest Sette has been ill—but I am glad it is spoken of in the past tense—tell us if he is really quite well– We were very much amused with George’s invitation to Miss Wardlaw—during her visit of course he relinquished his law books– Papa was very pleased with his note, & with your promise[.] I am glad you have made yourselves so agreeable to Annie that she was induced to return to you again– You could not have had a more satisfactory proof of it– Ba thanks her very much for her kind note, & give her the love of all of us– Ba goes on to say she forgives Arabel & Mary’s request shall be attended to– The cake is a beautiful one, & I only hope the interior is as beautiful as the exterior—who chose it for us?– Seppy & Ockyta I guess– We did not know that Papa had sent for one, & we were guessing last night what could be the contents of the box– You forgot the characters– Papa was asking this morning what you did with yours—he expects that you gave a toast in honor of it– I wish I had been with you dearest Sam the day of the celebration of your birthday– Congratulate Treppy for us on her having found such nice lodgings in such a good situation[.] What an improvement after Crawford St– I am going to write to her very soon– The ball took place last night none of us went to it not even Bro– I submitted to my disappointment very philosophically– This eveng we are going to Mrs Brydges Wyllyam’s—where we are to meet Miss St John from Sidmouth– Georgie danced with her or her sister at the Promenade there– I had a letter yesterday from Julia Gutteres expressing many kind wishes to see me before I leave Devonshire– I hope I may be able to go there—remember you have promised to take me– Miss St John says Julia is going to be married to Mr Edward O’Brien but I do not believe it– Bro Mr Hunter & Papa went yesterday to Bents caverns, but did not meet with any dry bones– The two last days have been cold & frosty—but today it is warmer again– I am doubly anxious about the weather now Papa is here– He is gone out to criticise some answer Mr Clarke has been writing to Lord Brougham’s letter which he is thinking of publishing– Do you see any thing of the Gordons now? Do not be an encourager of dessensions– I wish you & George a pleasant party at Mr Vivyan’s, how do you know that I may not be in London to accompany you– I wish you & Arabel would go & see the Biddulphs for me– Cissy returns your kiss—poor Arlette has been an Invalid this day or two—breakfasting in bed, & eating dry toast– However today she looks nearly ready for the cake– Jane paid Ba a visit yesterday after an absence of six weeks– She is nicely again, & the children going on well—poor Johnny has two red eyes again & is kept a prisoner to the house– Robin as wild as ever–
I have said my say
And must away—
Believe me my very dear, my very kind, & very imprudent Sam both at present “& for the future
Your very aff<ectio>nate
Miss H. Barrett”
I dont think I have said half enough about the box—but how can I express my thanks dearest Sam–
Papa has heard from Capt Selby from Madeira. He says you had better call upon Mr Kenyon to tell him of Mrs Shaw’s safe arrival, & to tell him that her daughter was considerably better–
Address, on integral page: S. M. Barrett Esqre / 50. Wimpole Street / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
1. Underscored three times.
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