SD984. Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother) to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 346 (in part).
50 Wimpole St
Jany 31st 1839.
My dear[e]st Henrietta
As a parcel is about to leave this, in common civility I must write you, if only one line though I have hardly time for that. I find it out of my power to leave Town just now, having spoken to my Governor on the subject & his still requiring my presence in London; You must say nothing about this when you write, but do not expect to see me yet. I am glad our dear Ba suffers so little from this awfully cold weather; George & I went last night to Ormus Biddulphs where we met his sisters, the Robert Biddulphs, & all the Martins; & after a very learned lecture of chemistry with numerous very beautiful Experiments, we adjourned to Tea & Lunch, after which a game at Speculation & more punch concluded the Evgs amusements. Your correspondent Miss Kate, & Mrs R. Martin sent numerous messages, the latter in dailey [sic] expectation of hearing from you; The Evg. was agreable enough, but did not compensate for the frosty night we had to endure on our return home, I could not face the snow & wind, so much against Georgies inclination got a cab horse to face it for us. To night I dine at the Cunninghams, & tomorrow at Mr. Kenyons; The latter is quite well, he called here a few days since making very delicat[e] enquiries about Ba. Tell Ba in reference to her line on L.E.L., “If a planter in her opinion can justly estimate poetry” that I do so most sincerely & I admire them very much indeed; give my most affectionate love to her & say that I have prevailed on Treppy to present me with Ba’s picture, & with a few alterations, for which Arabella sat, have suceeded in obtaining a very good likeness; this I shall value much as a companion when in Jamaica. Bro’s & your commissions Arabell & I are about to Execute, & trust the white satin shoes &c may produce the impression you desire & in the quarter you pray for: I certainly would like to Waltz with you on the occasion: I had that honour at Vyvyans the other night, & in losing my head very nearly lost my legs, much to the discomfort of my partner, we however continued our Tour, & by the end of the Evg. established my character as a very steady person.
You need ask no questions about Treppy we seldom see her, for she says she is engaged in a work of charity & it would be an unchristian act to wish her otherwise engaged. I think however her temper is at a discount just now & know not <w>hy. My best love to the Mademe [illegible word] Hunter and all other Hunters inhabitants <of> Beacon Terrace & the Braddons & Beli<eve> me my dearest Henrietta
Yours as ever
S M Barrett
Many th<a>nks for my most acceptable Pocket Book, I have already taken many numerous businesslike notes, I expect this annually I wish you would write me more than exactly 12 lines– [1] SMB
I wish you could find an artist at Torquay who could do justice to your Physiognomy. I might like to look at you occasionally when I had nothing better to do—pray make the enquiry & let me know your success–
Address, on integral page: Miss H. Barrett / Beacon Terrace / Torquay / P.P. Jr 31s
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
1. “12” underscored three times.
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