SD1128. Edward Moulton-Barrett (father) to Septimus Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 366 (in part).
[Torquay]
[?2] [July 1840]
My dear Sette
I am sorry to find that your standard of morality is so low as to suppose it possible that Philips can be justified in the defence he set up for that poor Wretch– You mistake, not only did he insinuate that the officers had placed the property & the bloody gloves where they were found, but that the Servant, Marcel, knew of her Master being murdered, & above all the solemn asseverations he made were truely aweful[sic]; What think you of this[?] The Almighty alone knows who did this deed, when he & Clarkson at that time had it from the man’s own lips that he was the murderer. I have not space to say more on the subject, but rather than have said what he did, I would have bit my tongue off & spit it out.
There will be a Poem of Bas in the next Athenaeum I expect, & if so, send one to Bell, one to Annie, one to Jane, Barnsfield House, Ryde, Isle of Wight; give one to Minny, & send me an extra one, besides that for Wimpole St which subsequently goes to Stormie–
I think your friend Moody’s note as vulgar a piece of composition as any Gentleman need pen—the 15/6 I wont pay; the ten Pounds you may send him, half & half for safety, but I thought he had been settled with long ago.
I wrote yesterday to Mr Anderson, who is prepared to give you £100, but pray let it be taken care of– If Sugars did not keep up, you would ruin me, you sad dogs. On friday I sold some at 77s/ & Mr Anderson wrote to me on Tuesday, that they had risen to 82s/ & that he expected to get that price for my remaining 25 Hhds of crop 1838. the next day; upon the strength of it I sent him an order last night for my Crop of 1839, that he might go on selling, but to my disappointment, I have not heard from him to-day. You may buy a Monthly Chronicle, which contains Ba’s poem of the Bones for the use of the House.
What Bill of Davis can it be that George asks about the payment of; never mind whoever he be, he must not be paid at present–
Thank God Ba has had a rather nice day upon the whole. Love to all
Yrs very affectionately
E M Barrett
Address, on integral page: For Sette.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Gordon E. Moulton-Barrett.
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