SD992. Mary Russell Mitford to Arabella Moulton-Barrett

Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 348 (in part).

Three Mile Cross

March 14th 1839

My dear Miss Arabella

I cannot write as a stranger to the Sister of my dear & honoured friend Miss Barrett—the woman of all the world whom I love & admire & revere–

The little packet of seeds are for the dear boys—chosen as being likely to prosper in the atmosphere of London & the confinement of garden pots—I have also taken the liberty to enclose a packet for Mrs Dupuy which if any of your servants should be passing near Welbeck Street they can be so good as to leave at the house, or if that be in the remotest degree troublesome can be sent to the twopenny post.

You will I am sure believe with how much sincerity my father & myself join in every good wish to your whole household—above all in that best of good wishes the most fervent aspiration for the restoration of our precious young friend to the family whom she loves so dearly & who would be honoured in such a daughter were they a rank above the Princes of the Earth– Some day or other I trust to make the personal acquaintance of those whom as her relations I so much regard—in the mean time I remain dear Miss Arabella

Very faithfully your’s

M R Mitford

Address, on integral page: Miss Arabella Barrett.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Gordon E. Moulton-Barrett.

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