SD1107. Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother) to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 364 (in part).
Cin. Hill
Jany. 26th 1840
My ever dearest Henrietta
You have I am sure attributed my long silence to the right causes, viz, a want of time on the Packetts [sic] sailing: I have been so much & constantly engaged with my Pet Africans that I have barely found time to get through my regular vocations– You would were you here be much amused at my endeavours by signs to make them unders<tand> what I mean; I am <g>lad to say they have so far fully answered my expectations bring very managable, honest, & good tempered; I have them constantly employed cleaning Pastures & they shew every anxiety to please me; They call me Tata “anglice” Father, so you see I have a tolerably large family—61 Boys & 19 Girls. I have named one little girl after you & have some hopes of bringing her up as well if not better [1] than her Namesake, she is very fat & chubby faced & like you in every particular only a slight degree darker & some highly aristocratical marks in shape of Tattoos– They are beginning in a measure to understand the language, attend Mr Waddells Church regularly & will I trust soon get attached to the place– I was glad to hear from Papa last Packet & to receive so good an account of dearest Bas state of health, I trust the convenience of her new bedroom & your sheltered corner house will tend much to relieve her of much of the pain she suffered last winter, I hope she may have as much faith in her new medical adviser as <s>he had in poor Dr Barry. Storm I have not seen for some weeks—I however heard yesterday that he is looking much fatter than on his arrival here, so you need have no fear, unless he has the dropsy, of which I will inform you in due course, he is I believe engaged in his crop boiling sugar, how much more agreable than parading “Frying Pan rolls” in a cold frosty day. You had really much better come and assist me in clothing my small family I put on Ladys Petticoats & S––ys as well as your best tirewoman & have given numerous lessons in the art of putting on Turbans & gentlemens trowsers. The only difficulty I labour under is the trouble I have in inducing the ladies to wash in the morning. I don’t mean to assert that all ladies have this objection, but the fact is my ladies have the Itch and it is more necessary on this ac/. You being one of the desponding people interested in the Grocery trade I must tell you our prospects here this year are better than I ever saw them, having had such splendid rains, if we do not make sugar it will be my fault: I do not mean to say that all Estates are equally fortunate, but this <I> mean you to understand that we have every cause to be thankful, the people generally behaving well under my charge & they & I tolerably good friends. We are looking out daily for Selby who is over due. I go tomorrow to attend a Vestry meeting at Mo Bay & the two following days to act as assistant Judge at Quarter Sessions how does George feel, give Ba my best thanks for her congratulations; I expect tomorrow my Commission as Magistrate for Trelawney for the Governor knowing my valuable se<rvi>ces has offered me another commission, I shall shortly have to ask you to purchase me a cool wig– I am sorry to say a case of Arson occurred on an Estate 8 miles from this last Friday Morning, the parties are however in custody & likely to be convicted– The people are generaly [sic] much improved & quietly disposed. My most Affectionate love to all your dear circle many of whom I wish were now with me. Tell Bro he shall hear from me very shortly[,] occupation alone has prevented my doing so before & with best love to Dearest Bell and Believe me my dearest Henrietta
Yr fondly attached
S M Barrett
Tell Henrietta Dashwood Sam is quite well & so are all his family he dines with me tomorrow, I have offered Capt Barrett’s son, Edward a situation here as Bookkeeper[.] I believed however he will decline it–
Address, on integral page: Miss H. Barrett / Beacon Terrace / Torquay / Devon / P. Pkt / Jany 27th
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
1. Underscored three times.
___________________
