SD1417. Alfred Moulton-Barrett to Henrietta Cook
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 16, 292–293 (in part).
[London]
Sunday night [7 April 1850] [1]
My dearest Henrietta
We have had a grand battle scene in the drawing room– The governor waited until we had all assembled & then opened the whole matter– He produced all the correspondence—then said it was evident both George & Harry knew of the long attachment & condemned them in most serious terms. George fired up—the governor pressed him hard & George left the room– There was a great loss of temper on both sides which a little sleep & food would rectify– He examined us as to whether we had known when the affair was to have come off & also whether any of us had been there– To all of which a negative was given– He read the whole of the letters including his own & concluded by telling us he intended to write to Surtees– Pray tell Surtees to write a short calm & temperate reply—expressing sorrow for anything he may have written on the spur of the moment in his former letter– Sept’s conciliatory tone was telling—& he listened without taking the slightest offence to the unanimous opinion expressed in favor of Surtees.
He states his objection to be solely on religious grounds—& that had the D. of Devonshire proposed to you; he holding tractarian views; he would have refused him instanter.
All this of course you were prepared for—painful tho’ it be—yet I have told it you as in my opinion it is always far better that parties situated as you are should precisely know all circumstances.
There was nothing which any of us heard tonight has in the least shaken us in our belief that you were in every way justified in the course you have taken—but unless it be necessary I would not have you my dearest Hentta quote such opinion as there are persons who often forget both honour and confidence– Some day you may know more about it–
Believe me
Ever dearest Hentta
Yrs most affectly
Alfred
Excuse this scrawl as Harry has been incessantly talking.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
1. Dated by the reference to Henrietta’s marriage, which occurred the previous day.
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