SD1261. Mary Russell Mitford to Lucy Olivia Partridge
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 13, 391 (in part).
[Three Mile Cross]
[Postmark: 14 July 1846]
You must not think my refusal unkind my very dear friend– It is the result of my peculiar situation. … It turns out to be a mistake about the Papers being left to Miss Barrett, they are under her care which led to the misconception, & the poor thing had a sound fright for nothing. I take it that they will be very interesting not so much about art as about Poetry & literature & the world in general from Haydon having been the friend of almost every eminent man for the last 40 years—but he was so keen & close an observer & so frank & bold a writer that the publication of the Memoirs will be terribly dangerous, & would have killed Elizabeth Barrett. I saw her last week– She walks to the booksellers at the corner of the street & drives to Highgate & Hampstead & has called on Mr Kenyon!!!– Keep the Beaumarchais as long as you like. I was only afraid that it was in less safe hands. I am more likely to want Le Père Goriot if we do other volumes of French Extracts—but not in haste. We shall do Victor Hugo and Eugène Sue first. And now, dearest, good-bye. I have ten letters to answer to-day. How can I write books!
I have asked Miss Anderdon to forward to you a copy of a letter which Miss Barrett wrote to me on poor Mr Haydon’s death. …
Address: Mrs Partridge / Horsenden House / Princes Risbro’ / Bucks.
Publication: Chorley, I, 224–226.
Manuscript: Yale University.
___________________
