SD1058. Arabella Moulton-Barrett to Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 359–360 (in part).
Torquay
October 15th [1839] [1]
My ever dearest Sam,
A letter is to be written to you, & I have claimed the writing of it, that I might thank you for & answer your kind and amusing letter that you wrote to me from Madeira, but which was so long in reaching me, on account of my wanderings!– When I had it safe in my hands, I never felt so strongly before the truth of that saying “Better late than never.” it was such a pleasure to me to have it—& it was universally allowed by all of us to be the most amusing letter that ever was penned before at sea. Ba said “Sam has given us all the little details—that is just what I like.” What a blessing it is, my dearest Sam, for all of us, that you & our dearest Stormie are landed safely in Jamaica. Stormies letter to Bro, written at Cinnamon Hill arrived three days ago. All the happy intelligence it brought of both of you made us so glad & thankful. May that Hand which has so mercifully guided you through so many dangers, still continue to preserve you!– You are much to be commended for the exemplary manner in which you have behaved towards us, in not forgetting to write to us one packet– We really are very much obliged to you—& I can assure you it is altogether on account of this great kindness of yours, that you have a letter from us by this packet. It was Bro’s opinion that we shd not write you this time– Ba’s opinion that we should do so, “because they have never missed one opportunity of writing to us”—but Bro appeared to think it rather a strange was of showing our gratitude, to make you pay 2/2 once a fortnight for our letters, besides the letters you may possibly receive from Papa. “It is no joke to have to pay so many two & two pences.” Bro may be right, & it is perhaps carrying our sense of gratitude too far. You must do your best, & try & forgive this practical “joke” of ours– But to tell you of our dearest Ba before I go any farther—I dare say Bro told Stormie both of our changes of house from No. 3 to 1 of this Terrace—and also of the sudden death of poor Dr Barry. This latter event was indeed a great shock for dearest Ba, & for a time, threw her back a good deal—but she is now, I am thankful to say, much better again, & is daily improving & regaining her strength & spirits. It was indeed a very afflicting circumstance; both as it concerns the patients & the poor widow & child that Dr Barry left. But it was God’s doing, & therefore wisely done– Ba was persuaded by us, but with some difficulty, to call in Dr Scully, who is allowed to be by all, a very clever man, & from his age & his long standing in this place, must consequently have had more experience in complaints of the chest than Dr Barry had—& we may feel assured that she is safe in his hands. She appears to have confidence in him & to like him, wh is a great thing. His opinion, entirely coincides in every respect with that of Dr Barry’s, which is satisfactory, & he does not seem to be inclined to make any changes in his mode of treatment of her[.] Let us pray that he may be made a blessing in the hands of God, for doing her good, this house is a delightful one for her, as her bedroom is not only a warmer one than her last, but it is contiguous to the drawing room, & therefore there will be no risk incurred in carrying her up & down stairs during the winter. George left us last Friday in order to be [able to] spend his last fortnight with Mr Wyghtman. He has paid such a long visit here, because he was obliged, not because it was his desire– Papa would not let him return to London any sooner, & he did not manifest much graciousness in consenting to this arrangement. His love for his profession is an over powering love & it was his opinion that it was quite his ruin being absent from Mr Wyghtman’s chambers for so long, just before he is to be called to the bar. A letter from Sette has just come, telling us of his arrival, & giving us all a very good account of them all. They were wondering very much as to what you could have been saying to Papa in yr letter, which was not shown to any one but to Treppy, who appears to be just now in high favor. She told than that you had spoken of the “alarming state” in which the country was– My prophecy is, that we shall all be obliged to go out to Jamaica, & there wd be only one consolation in case of such a plan as that– You & Stormie may guess if you can, what that would be– Think of Annie & Mrs Gordon having gone to Penzance to spend the winter & passing us by. What an escape we have had!– I do confess that I am very glad they did not determine upon taking up their winter quarters here. It wd have been agreeable in any respect– You will be very sorry to hear of the poor Newdicks. Mr Newdick is at present in Prison & Papa says he fears he shall have to pass through the Insolvent act: Mrs Newdick is in London with all her children on their way to France, & they have dined several times in Wimpole Street & appears to be in tolerable spirits & as communicative as ever. One of the stories by wh she has been amusing them with is, that young |Raffareld| of Sidmouth was so mad, that they were obliged to confine him in an iron cage, where he bit off his arm, & they were obliged to shoot him!!– She is a very kind hearted woman in spite of all her love for the marvellous—& I am truly sorry for them. Mr Newdick is going again to sea, as soon as he can get a ship. Bro & Henrietta are as gay as they can be, making it a point of refusing no invitations. Bro is drawing most assiduously, & has made most wonderful proficiency in water color painting—& if he goes on as perseveringly & as successfully as he has begun, he will make, be assured of it, a first rate artist– It is, or appears to be at present, rather uncertain whether Bummy will remain with us the whole of the winter. She has some longings after Frocester, which she may be inclined to satisfy—but no one knows yet– Of all changeable people, Bummy is the most so– She desires me to give you both her love & a kiss– I have been enjoying myself most particularly since I have been here—with walking—donkeying & sketching– This is the most lovely place I ever was in, & I think it must be even superior to Jamaica. Stormie’s letter to Bro was so amusing & made us laugh very heartily. Dont let him expose himself too much, on his first trial of the climate, nor eat too much of the “porter & cheese” he so eloquently describes—& do pray, dearest Sam, take care of yourself– You should indeed, considering that horrible ague– May the many prayers that we continually offer up for you both be answered– Ba has heard today from Mrs Martin, who tells her of a bazaar that has been held at Hope End, for the purpose of building a church on Wellington Heath, & they collected an immense sum at it. There is a new rector at Colwall in consequence of the death of the last, & poor Mr Dean, besides having lost all hope of being made rector, has also lost the curacy, & is obliged to leave after a few month[s]. They all seem to regret him very much– That is all the Ledbury news, & the last of any kind of news I have left to tell you. Forgive this stupid letter, written on your useful & beautiful writing case & with your pen & ink from your inkstand– I always use them & always think of you– You cannot think how they have all been admired here[.]
May God bless you, my dearest Sam & Stormie, (who will probably see this letter) with His best blessings–
Your ever fondly attached Arabel–
Ba’s & Henrietta’s best love to you. The latter wd have written, but I have prevented her by writing myself!– You see what I have deprived you of!– We are expecting Papa soon–
Address, on integral page: S. M. Barrett Esqr / Cinnamon Hill / Little River / St. Jame’s / Jamaica.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
1. Year provided by postmark.
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