SD1065. Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother) to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 360 (in part).
Cambridge Estate
Oct <2>4th 1839
My dearest Henrietta
Though no letter reached me at <Cin.> Hill from any one this Packet, yet I will follow <a Ch>ristian Maxim in returning good for evil– My <let>ter must be brief for I have written several & have <no>t many moments to spare– I reached this yester<day> to enquire what news Storm had to communicate, <h>e is quite well being in the highest state of Salubrity; Tomorrow he makes his début in the boiling house as Bookkeeper where he will be enabled to taste the Sweets of a Bookkeepers life in testing the different qualities of sugar– He at this moment is picking young cocoanuts by means of a Long Bamboo for the purpose of imbibing the water– Jump & he after a few discussions have determined to Eschew politics; what think you of his stating before planters that instead of the compensation being paid to Proprietors that the negr<oes> ought to have recieved [sic] it. I however never indulge in an argument with him; & he certainly appears to me to be more reconciled to the coun<try> & to be happy in his employments– We are g<etti>ng on as I could wish at Cin. H. & Cornwall ditto Retr<eat>; so do not suppose or flatter yourselves we are <r … d>. Negroes occasionally treat you with suspicio<n b>ut i [1] have no reason to be disatisfied– We have <sp>lendid rains & consequently you can almost <see> the canes grow– I am in a state of uncertain<ty> as regards my own prospects, for though I am the acting manager for C. H. Cornwall & Retreat I have no reason for supposing I shall continue in charge beyond the necessary time for a fresh Power reaching this country; as the Governors letter to Mr. Carey by last Packet is sufficient proof to my mind that he has not sufficient confidence in me: I am however acting as if in full charge, though Mr. Carey will of course pocket the profits, & shall remain so till a Power of Attorney arrives for some one. I heard from Mrs J. Clarke yesterday, would you write to her & say when I have ascertained all the necessary information it shall be forwarded directly; I fear from her letter to me there is little present prospect of my taking charge: Tell her I have recd <her> letter of the 1st September, & my best thanks for it– I should have written by this post but a long letter to the Governor prevented my doing so– I have attended a vestry Meeting & made on the occasion a mos<t> eloquent Speech: I attend the quarter Sessions on <Wed>nesday next and take my seat as Magistrate– <I was> also elected one of the Managers of the Savings Bank<,> but as I f<ear th>is is only an honorary office <I s>hall resign it– <The> Assize Court meets on Monday <wee>k, w<here I> hope to see Sir Jos. & Lady Rowe. Tell <Bro Mr.> Foster of Trelawney died yesterday, & we much |wish| he were here to supply his place; how can he be so idle? We are delighted to hear that dearest Ba is so much better, & trust she may not leave a place that has so much profited her: You who knew how anxious we were to hear twice a week when in London of our dear invalid, might suppose that the climate has not diminished my anxiety, & have written me one letter the last two Packets, indeed dearest Henrietta you must write oftener to me– My most affectionate love to dear Bro & thanks for his letter, when I can spare time I will writ<e> a long business like letter; Tell him a<d> interim that “Hyd<e> Hall” won’t make 150 hds this year. You will be sorry to <h>ear that I & my French Cook are at daggers drawn, she <has> become much above her place, & I have great difficulty <in g>etting my dinner &c arranged: Old Junius is my sta<n>d by: Madame shall sail the first convenient opportunity, for she is both extravagant in wages & still more so in the management of my domestic establishment– I am glad you like Sam’s sister, he is a great friend of mine, & his wife quite an acquisition in our neighbourhood– My best love to all your dear party, I am delighted Arabell is with you; best love to dearest Bell Arlette Cissy & Co– And with united lover from Storm & self Believe me Ever y. most
affectionately attached
SM Barrett
It is now raining a regular cataract, and Storm sitting by me copying the Governors letter for Me–
I called on Young Minto but all the time Storm has been here, he has not once condescended to call on him– If you hear from Mrs or Miss Minto pray tell both with L--e to latter, if George does not hear of it, that I am as <handsome as> ever & still expect great things from Jamaica– Miss Mintos harp mistresses Brother is dead, he died of fever–
What is Harry going to do? You had better all come out– I <don’t w>ant a housekeeper.
Address, on integral page: Miss H. Barrett / Beacon Terrace / Torquay / Devon / England.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
1. Underscored twice.
___________________
