SD998. Henrietta Moulton-Barrett to Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 349–350 (in part).
Torquay
Thursday. [18 April 1839] [1]
Now I am going to chat a little with you my ever dearest Sam, but the worst of it is I shall have all the conversation on my own side, while you remain mute—an objection which some among our communicative sex would not acknowledge as one—but I like to be a listener sometimes as well as a talker, & most happy would it make me were I at this moment within hearing of the melody of your voice dearest Sam—but patience, le temps vendra– Our beloved Ba did not feel yesterday quite as comfortable as usual, she felt rather low & weak & went to bed sooner than she generally does– When Dr Barry came at sight he ordered her to discontinue the Styptic, & gaive her something as a substitute, she had not a very good night but she appears much better this morning—perhaps it was only the result of the Styptic, it has certainly done good in one way in decreasing the expectoration—when may I have the blessing of telling you that it has passed away?– May God grant it– I am sorry to say the appetite does not improve—the ass’s milk & the soup at eleven o’clock are the most nutritious things she takes—she seems to have taken a dislike to chicken or any sort of animal food, & for her dinner she either takes oysters or maccaroni, but do not say any thing of it, as she does not like to be teased about it—& after all, it is much better that she should have what she can take most of– We have had a great deal of rain these two last days, & when it stops I do hope we shall have warm settled weather, & then I trust our dear Ba may be able to benefit from it– The first step will be to bring her downstairs & then she may begin her sailing expeditions, & when you then hear of us in a boat you may expect next, to hear of our cruising about among the Islands in the Mediterranean or maybe somewhat nearer to your [illegible word] of the London dock yards. I think we shall find our load stone to be there—but joking apart, I do hope that “la bella donna“ may be soon & often in our service, the getting to it now, will not be half as fatiguing as it used to be when we were at the Braddons & I trust much strength may be obtained in this way– Jane & uncle Hedley seem determined upon their London expedition, & I think it will be very shortly—it is very selfish to have any regrets about it, but Ba & all of us will miss them so sadly. However they are going for their pleasure—the time is not fixed I believe, but it certainly will not be next week—for two reasons—in the first place they are coming to drink tea with us any day we like to fix for next week, & then they expect some friends, a Mr & Mrs Adair to spend two days with them then– They wrote to ask Mr Cuthbert & his daughter who are now staying in London with Mr George Hedley, to come here to pay them a visit. However he refused as he is going back to the North—he asked them to his daughter’s wedding in June—but they have refused—I believe they have quite determined to go to the Brunswick Hotel & George is to be their only companion– His mischievous propensities have gained him this indulgence– They are really afraid of leaving him at home as he is so unmanageable– Seppy & Ocky I dare say will be pleased to see him—he is a fine fellow & altho’ he is much younger than they, I think in some respects they will suit very well—don’t let them be offended at my impertinant insinuations– What news of Fanny? I hope dearest Arabel’s expected letter this eveng may answer me that question—it does not of necessity follow that you have seen her, because she is in London—therefore perhaps she may not be able to tell us any thing of her—tell Arabel that both Ba & I were very much shocked by the confession of such unnatural sentiments contained in her letter– She may well fear the exposure of them. However she need not make herself very uneasy, our sisterly affection will induce us to keep them in obscurity. Bro went out to fish as I told you he had intended, accompanied by Mr Mackenzie, & returned very well satisfied with his sport having caught four trout, & his companion six—he says it was very good for a beginning, but I believe Harry, as any such good fisherman would have laughed at how they were most of them so small, not worth carrying—& they took a great large basket with them expecting I suppose that they would have filled it– Bro becomes quite sentimental when he talks of the pleasure of fishing—he is going to geologise the next fine day with Mr Battersby, the latter is to take him in a boat somewhere along the coast, where extraordinary specimens are to be found—he is diving very deeply in this subject of Geology– Mr Hunter most generously recommended to Ba to give him Phillips Geology, telling her where it was to be bought in Torquay—& Ba almost as generously made the purchase of it & gave it to him– Who do you think paid him a visit this morng as early as eight o’clock?—your friend Mr Charles Vivian– I did not see him, for he did not stay many minutes, but Bro says his beauty is by no means improved– He came from Axminster yesterday & returns today– I believe he enquired very particularly about you– I heard from Eliza Bacon yesterday—she tells me that Mrs Bacon’s illness was Paralysis, & that she was in great danger for a fortnight– However she is getting better now– Mr Bacon too has not recovered from the influenza– Give our best love to dear Treppy– Do you see much of her? Mr Hamilton has not come yet—he would be very much flattered were he to know how much we wish for his arrival–
Friday Morng– You will be sorry to hear dearest Sam that when Dr Barry came last night he ordered a blister, a small one—perhaps it was precautionary, but do not any of you be uneasy– She complained yesterday of a slight pain in the chest but she says it really was very little—& she has had a better night which she will tell you perhaps herself, as in spite of the blister she says she must write a little in this– Give my very best to dearest Papa Arabel & all, & Believe how much I am
Your attached Henrietta–
This lovely morning I am sure must do Ba good–
Love to dear Minny.
Address, on integral page: S M Barrett Esqr / 50. Wimpole Street. / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
1. This letter is postmarked 19 April 1839, a Friday.
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