SD1219. Edward George Barrett to Georgiana Elizabeth Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 9, 317 (in part).
Albion. St Ann’s
Moneague P.O.
Nov: 11. 1844
My dear Missy
I sit down to write to you, not because I have any news, but because it is so long since you last heard from me. However you have no right to complain, for, if I remember correctly, you are in my debt for a letter.
I suppose my father has long since told you the melancholy news of my poor brother’s death. He was ill with fever 6 days, the usual time here, & was sensible to the last, dying without the least pain. I set off for St Mary’s immediately on receiving the letter announcing his dangerous illness, and rode all night, but at 8 A.M. on reaching the Estate at which he resided I received the intelligence that he had been dead 24 hours– His death took place at half past 9 on Sunday morning Sept: 1– I have some of his hair, which I wish to have set in a ring, but do not know how to forward it to England.
Enough of this melancholy tale.
My father set off yesterday morning (Sunday) for St James’ on some business connected with Long Sam’s affairs—I do not know when he will be back here again[.] He will see down there, the box you sent out so long ago, which he has been too lazy to send for, to my great annoyance, as I understand it contains some books, which are invaluable to me, whatever kind they may be of– I have been gardening lately most zealously and, as the result of my labors, can point to sundry cabbages & beans in a most thriving state[.] But I am terribly annoyed by ants—the soil is dry & gravelly & in consequence, whenever, in pursuit of my horticultural toils, I stoop down to weed a bed, these little pests crawl all over me & bite me, until I am almost the color of my own |calabue|, (this mysterious word signifies a |bland| |here| which is used for spinage & is the color of a red cabbage)–
Hitherto we have had a good deal of rain, but, in case we have another spell of dry weather, I am grievously afraid that, from my want of water, all the hopes (& beans) which I have so long been nourishing will vanish & fade (or fade & vanish) & that the dishes of peas which I now behold in my minds eye, big & green, will still remain among the “Pleasures of Hope[.]” We (my father & myself) have enjoyed excellent health, although most days my feet are wet from morning till night from walking through the long grass. I take a great deal of exercise; walking up & down hills, that would make you (who call the mounds about Leam<ington> “<hills>”) open your eyes with astonishment–
By the bye now it comes into my head, I may as well tell you that any seeds, bulbs, &c., good to eat or good to look at, will be very acceptable, now I have |commenced| gardener– I am quite ashamed to ask you for so many things and not to send back any thing in return, but positively I don’t know what to send or how to send them– Parrots, I have endeavoured to rear for you, but without success for one very nice one dissappeared one fine day in a mysterious & unaccountable mode, & another which I bought lately, has also departed if not in so mysterious certainly in quite as unsatisfactory a manner, he died, I am inclined to think of indigestion, being somewhat gluttonous in his disposition. (Nov: 25.) I have differred [sic] closing my letter until I could inform you of my father’s safe return from St James’– He has been as far as Montego Bay & returned safe & sound on Saturday last (Nov: 23.)—very much pleased with his journey– My paper is now finished so I must wish you goodbye–
Yr affect brother
E G Barrett
Address, on integral page: Miss Barrett / 20 York Buildings / New Road / London / Packets.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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