SD1009. Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother) to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 352 (in part).
London
June 14th 1839.
My ever dearest Henrietta
I had intended allowing this letter to reach you tomorrow (Saturday), I fear however having come in too late to finish it before Post time. I have been very busy this Mng, & shall be so tomorrow so I will give you all the spare time today before dinner– Your continued good accounts of dear Ba are very cheering to us all, we hope ere this she may have ventured on the Sea the weather here having been delightfully warm & I take it for granted you are not much farther to the Northard– Our gaieties here have been rather limited, my having few friends in Town to afford an opportunity: Tell Ba I met “Dickens” alias [“]Sam Weller”—& a number of other Lions & Lionesses at Mr Kenyon’s the other night, & I assure her I enjoyed myself very Much; Dickens is my heigth Exact, rather darker, about my age & wears his hair “á la Brosy”, very animated but, I should not have given him credit for so much real fun & talent, he did not stay long; I also met Mrs & Mr Woodford, four or five Americans & a variety of fashion & beauty. Our aunt Fanny gives a large <par>ty tonight & one tomorrow night, invitations have long since issued, but it is only an hour since that Louisa came up to ask George & I, we of course do not wish to intrude our unfashionable society on any relations, & declined; I have dined with them twice “E’ famille” but not been near the house on other occasions; do not suppose I grieve– I was glad to see Uncle John in Town the other day, I was with him every day promenading London Streets: I am sure you will be glad to hear he & Mrs Clarke have kindly given me a “dormant Power of Attorney[”] for their properties in Jamaica, I am assured this Power will become available in six months from this; I value this mark of regard from Uncle John the more, because he is the first person who has placed such confidence in me, & will be the means of affording me great assistance; with two or three more such friends my stay in Jamaica will be much dimi<ni>shed, I merely wanted a start <in> the world. I have seen Annie Barrett today who sends her love to you all—she is quite well & in capital spirits, of the rest of the family I know nothing as we are better friends apart– Since this visit of mine to England I have often wondered how it is that our letters are less frequent than they were when I was in Jamaica, I suppose it arises from your feeling yourself on the same side of the water & think it therefore unnecessary to write to me in par<t>icular, it perhaps may be so, but my great fear is that on my return to Jamaica you may continue this Exceeding bad habit; for I can assure you your letters are a great source of enjoyment, whether as containing scandal or other matter “the deponent sayeth not”; All here are superlatively well, though like all English people some are complaining of dust & others of Excessive heat, I believe I am the only satisfied one of the party. The Bell rings & you shall have this, with united loves to all your dear Party including Bell &— Believe me my dearest Henrietta
Yr most affect<ion>ately Attached
S M B<ar>rett
Excuse haste you shall hear again next week. Where is Dr Barry?
Address, on integral page: Miss H. Barrett / Beacon Terrace / Torquay / Devon.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
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