SD982. Arabella Moulton-Barrett to Hugh Stuart Boyd

Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 346 (in part).

[London]

[Postmark: 28 January 1839]

My dear Mr. Boyd. You may fancy our surprise when, upon opening the Athenaeum on Saturday, the first thing Papa saw, was these lines of Ba’s,—who had written them and sent them to the editor, unknown to anyone. I supposed that you wd care about seeing them, therefore I have written them out for you. I dare say you heard of Miss Landon’s last letter that she wrote to some friend in England, a day or two before her death— Supposing it may not have been in yr newspaper, I must tell you, that the question upon which these lines are written, were the last words of her letter. I shall be anxious to know what you think of Ba’s lines. Papa returned last Friday, but did not bring an improved account of Ba. He thinks her much the same as when he last saw her.

When you write to Torquay, do not say anything of what I said to you about my going there or of what you may think about it. I understand Annie is to return on the 10th of February.

Yours very sincerely

Arabel

Address, on integral page: H. S. Boyd Esqre / 3 Circus Road / St. John’s Wood.

Publication: EBB-HSB, p. 230.

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

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