SD1131. Edward Moulton-Barrett (father) to Septimus Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 367 (in part).
Torquay
August 1. 1840–
My dearest Sette
Through the blessing of God we are going on a little better, the pulse stronger but still dreadfully exhausted, the nervous energy being as low as possible to keep life in its dwelling place. We must wait the Lord’s time, for His counsels shall stand. The rest are tolerable–
Mr Hunter has written a letter to-day to Mary, saying that all in Wimpole Street were well with the exception of you, that you had had a bilious attack, looked very pale & were grown thin; What is the meaning of all this; You may be sure that you do not take exercise enough, you should go out to Hampstead, in order to get both air & exercise. It had been my intention on my return to Town, to have sent you all down here a little after this time, but this is out of the question now, for among other objections Ba could not bear it– She cannot hear of any one coming near her, indeed she would have us all to leave her, as she associates in her mind every one & every thing with her loss.
Do be honest with me Sette, & say what is the matter with you–
I find by a letter from Jamaica by the last Packet, that the David Lyon was to bring 3 Kegs of Tamarinds, 1 Keg containing Pickles & 8 Blls of Shaddocks; Will you write to Selby begging that he would have them forwarded to Wimpole St with the exception of 3 Blls of Shaddocks which he must desire the Broker to send to me, on board the City of Glasgow, Steamer, which leaves the London Bridge Wharf every Sunday Morng I am very angry with him, as I understand that he left Jamaica without seeing Stormie; I did not think that he would have acted so–
I want you to send me a small sample of both the white & brown Sugar, which you are using in the house, with the prices attached to them, that you pay the Grocer–
I think to-night that our dearest Ba is certainly improved, the pulse indicates more power, & she did not appear so low, nay she even asked me to remain longer with her, & certainly her mind has acquired a more healthy tone– Oh, may the Lord carry on the good work, & after manifold trials of our faith, receive our many prayers. But I confess, knowing all I did, it is a wonder to me that she lives, for her love for him, we mourn, was truely great, & in addition their friendship was uninterrupted, it began in infancy & has gone on growing with their growth– He was always the adytum of all her secrets & plans– It has been indeed an aweful [sic] dispensation. One that oftimes I can scarcely believe, for continually my mind is impressed that somehow, he has been providentially preserved & will present himself, & then I proceed to make my arrangements as to the best method in which I shall communicate the blessed intelligence to the rest, & particularly to our suffering one, but I am roused out of my happy reverie by the astounding fact, that he cannot come to me, but I must go to him for the meeting; well, God’s Will be done, sooner or later this may be, in the mean time May He enable me to rest satisfied, that it is all for the best, because He has ruled it–
My dear Sette let me know immediately what is the matter with you & with best love to all Believe me
Yrs affectionately
E M Barrett.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Gordon E. Moulton-Barrett.
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