SD1047. Hope Masterton Waddell to Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother)

Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 358 (in part).

Mount Zion School

24 Septr 1839.

Sir

I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your note of this morning. I am Sorry that you should have had cause of complaint against the children who attended the School from Cinnamon Hill last night, for making noise at a late hour. Allow me to explain the Cause both of their being assembled last night & of their being so late in dismissing, to remove any erroneous impression that maybe on your mind. I had long promised them an exhibition of the Magic lantern, which of course can take place only after dark. After several delays the promised amusement was afforded to them last night. It was undesigned that it fell on the night of a monthly prayer meeting. But the clear moon joined with the advantage of having some of their parents to conduct them home induced me not to defer it. The excitement & merriment naturally enough produced by its amusing representations is the only excuse I can offer for their boisterous mirth when retiring. As they violated my injunctions to go home quietly, & have disgraced themselves, they have been punished, and as they disturbed you my assistant in the School has promised to go & ask your pardon on their behalf which I doubt not they will receive[.]

Permit me to thank you for so promptly informing me of their improper conduct on this occasion & thereby enabling me immediately to correct it. I do not expect that anything Similar will again occur.

I am, Sir, your obedt Sert.

H. M. Waddell

Address, on integral page: For / S. M. Barrett Esqr / Cinnamon Hill.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Eton College Library.

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