SD1168. Mary Russell Mitford to Lucy Olivia Anderdon
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 5, 382 (in part).
[Three Mile Cross]
February 23rd, 1842
I cannot thank you enough, my ever dear and kind young friend, for your unfailing attention; but I write, even before reading Mr. Collyer’s book, to tell you that your packet has arrived safely, and that I shall return that with many thanks, and avail myself of your goodness respecting Hayley’s “Memoirs,” of which I shall take the greatest possible care. Pray keep the “Minstrelsy” as long as you like. I love ballads, next I think, to the drama, in all the range of poetry; and, out of love to them, am now reading Lewis’s “Memoirs”—the coadjutor of Scott in his early ballad poetry—modern ballads I mean—a very amusing book, which I find a good deal to select from for my father. Miss Barrett is busy with Madame D’Arblay. She says that Mrs. Thrale’s charm seems to have been her quick sympathy both of heart and intellect. I knew that before; my old governess, Mrs. St. Quentin, having known her in Wales, and described that as her peculiar characteristic. Miss Barrett says that she is quite well (for her), and walks to the sofa—words of great hope for the summer. Oh, how kind it was of you to get Hayley! How can I enough thank you, my precious young friend? I shall tell Miss Barrett of it, and her love will help to pay you—will be gold added to my silver.
Text: Chorley, I, 195.
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