SD123. Mary Moulton-Barrett to Arabella Graham-Clarke (grandmother)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 310 (in part).
North End, Hammersmith
12 May [1809]
My dearest Mother, I have no doubt my last letter created some Anxiety in your mind which I am sorry not to have been able to satisfy, nor am I Enabled to do so now, only I think you will be glad on any terms to hear of us. In the first place we are all well, & the dear boy getting his Strength—the delightful Season is much in his favor & he lives in the little garden, so do we all, making the most we can of our small distances from the Smoke of our Overgrown Neighbourhood. With respect to Hope-End we are just as when I last wrote. They have not agreed in the price, tho’ the treaty is still on foot, and I still think will end to Edwards wishes—he is delighted with the place. There are deer in the Park, & it is surrounded with fine hills covered with wood– A Stream runs through it—forming a Cascade– Nothing in short Ever was so picturesque & beautiful—there are 475 Acres, £27,000 asked, Including house, furniture, (which is old) as it stands. Edward offers £24,000. I think they may meet half way, tho’ it is at present the plan to stand firm. Another Gentleman I believe in the mean time is gone to see it, & his determination, may bring things to a quick decision. Thus it stands Exactly, at present, & it may continue to do so for some days longer, or I should not have Given you an Account so correspondent to my last. I shall not write again till I can do so, more to your Satisfaction; Anxiously & Ardently dearest Mother, as I have wished Nothing to intervene with the delightful plan of seeing you this year, I must admit, & so must you, that if Edward makes this purchase, & takes immediate possession, which he must do! that to go into the North this year would not be practicable—it will be right & necessary that he should get established there directly, & Even I, who have thought of a journey to the dear North, as the Summit of happiness, would not undertake it with half the pleasure; knowing we should be so limited for time, as we inevitably must be, if he makes the purchase– Indeed I feel that it would be ridiculous & contrary to reason for him to undertake it this year, & shall therefore very contendedly [sic] transfer my hopes & Expectations to the next. When I last wrote I had not considered all this. Indeed my mind had too long adopted my wishes on the subject, as certainties, to admit easily of their being destroyed. I have little doubt, but that to yours & my Fathers better judgements, the improbability of seeing us this year, would occur, with the Information respecting Hope End, and however mortifying at the moment, it is easy to become reconciled to what is necessary & rational, if I admit it to be so, how much more easy, will my dearest Mother feel it! To feel all the benefits of this salutary reason, we must not think of the happiness, had things been otherwise, but we must make the most of the happiness in View being as they are, & if we do not meet this year, I sanguinely hope & believe, that we shall next. I well know, that it will be a satisfaction to all parties, when Edward gets happily settled in a place to his wishes, & if it is not fated to be in Yorkshire, why we must be glad that all our unavailing Anxiety that it should be so, is at an End, for it has been on many occasions a most teasing & tormenting companion, however it is certain that we are so prone to such bad Company, that if there should be an End put to Hope End, I shall undoubtedly once more by led away by my old hankering after Yorkre, for the present you know as much as I know, & there let it rest. Bell & I took a drive in the park on Sunday, & Mr Moulton & Martin Williams dined here—the latter seems to think my Father will certainly come to Town. That will be one Comfort to me if we do not go North, & a great one. Yesterday Morning we spent in London, & Visited the bride, who looks in her little room, the happiest of the happy. They have spent some days at Hendon, & are to dine on Sunday at Mr Addams’. The Cooks and Arabella are to be in Town to go to some ball this Eveng given by a smart member of the hunt & Aubone & Anne go with them. I hope I shall contrive to see Bessy, tho’ they only stay ’till Sunday; Henrietta Scott & Elizth Ridley paid us a long visit here, the latter is a little broader than she was. I see no other difference. Bell & I called on Mrs Wilson, unluckily C. Heron was just gone out– We did not see any other of our North Country Friends– London was literally like an oven—Oppressively hot & crowded– I have only one regret, that we are not in Portman Sqre & that is on Bells Account, who seems doomed to stupidity—however she is very merry—& keeps us so– We dined yesterday at Mr Moultons, & staid ’till Eleven, quite gay—he has fitted up his new drawing room, like a Grotto. Best Love to Sam, if you see him—tell him, he did promise to write to me! Capt Williams is just come & I must conclude– Adieu dearest Mother, best love to my dear Father & all. I hope I shall hear from you tomorrow. Bells best love Ever dearest Mother
Your most affectionate Mary.
Address, on integral page: Mrs Graham-Clarke. / Newcastle on Tyne.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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