SD1415. Henry Moulton-Barrett to Henrietta Cook
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 16, 291–292 (in part).
[London]
[6 April 1850] [1]
My dearest Henrietta
Your affectionate little note this morning gave our feelings this morning a most perplexing character– In the first place the somewhat suddenness of the step, though we expected it soon, was a shock—then our extreme sympathy with you, knowing but too well from the knowledge of your own fondness of heart, what it must of cost you to have left us and the poor Governor under the circumstances you did—however, with the ties you held one to another, it could not have been accomplished another way. You have done the best. Now dear Henrietta I come to a point which gives me much pain to think of—it is your seperation from among us—our evenings & mornings will indeed be a blanck without you—remove from your mind any impression you may have, that we have shewn but little sympathy and kindness to you, be only to Cook as good and kind a wife as you have been to us a sister, and he will indeed be blessed with far greater happiness than wealth or honour could afford him– You have followed closely the teachings of one gone before us, whose name is never breathed amongst us, but must be forever sacred– Continue thus and you will make all cheerful and happy around you– Rest assured if your life should be preserved longer than Cooks there will be many warm and gratefull hands held out to you. Now I have a proposition to put you and Cook which I think your hearts and heads will at once comply with– I hear from Arabel, you or Cook received from the Padre a letter touching upon religious matters in no charitable a character, of views which unfortunately beget so much want of sympathy even in families, imitation of temper, and a failing of common charity—this letter, Henrietta, could not have been the dictate of the Governor’s heart in a natural state, it is a spurious & heated representation—let no line or word of it pass from your (or Cooks) lips or hands, but to the fire—erase them from your memories– We must not conjure up angry sentiments. Let us live upon the good & sunny sides of a man’s heart—tell Cook to remember his (Governor’s) many disappointments cares & anxieties, which does not always school the temper. Do not either of you take ill what I have written, but let us try to meet each others wishes & feelings– Remember you have immediate claims for the Governor’s hand– We must work hard, hopingly, and discreetly for this. George read your notes this morning, and was much affected– I am sorry Cook said what he did in reference to him—he, and I think others, have been much mistaken in his character–
May every happiness be in store for you both, and may life, Henrietta, which I fear of late has been some what bitter and cheerless to you, become a replenished source of pleasure & gratitude– I shall try and get down to Whitehall on Monday. Arabel will I presume tell you the rest. Dear Henrietta
Very affectionately yours
Harry Barrett
Mind you keep some corner on mantel piece, or somewhere vacant; but that must wait awhile.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
1. Date suggested by Henrietta’s marriage.
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