SD1421. Septimus Moulton-Barrett to Henrietta Cook
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 16, 294–295 (in part).
[London]
[8 April 1850] [1]
My dearest Henrietta
I put one line in Arabels enclosure just to wish you luck & happiness of every description which this our mortal state is capable of. And to tell you how exceedingly glad I am that your Miss has been swallowed in Mrs Surtees: he has been fortunate in attaining such a wife[—]Henrietta in such a husband[.] I have often, to your great annoyance, said that no man ought to marry under £800 a year. I dont believe a word of it, if neither the husband or the wife have extravagant notions I am persuaded £300 is ample. You can live like a prince upon it. £20 your house, £50 your dress and you have left £230. You may live as you like upon it. I give you my honor I am not joking but am as serious as you wish. I do think Madam there is some hope of the Governor’s giving way this time although your Lord & Master did not exercise that discretion & wisdom which I should have given him credit for. When I propose (which I expect will be shortly) he shall not have a finger in the proposing letter. But if you have not a husband who can hope to make his living by writing love letters you have one whom no man can speak ill of but au contraire all who know him speak of [him] as a man of the highest principals both as a gentleman & a Christian[.] I am sure you will be a happy couple & you both deserve to be. It was rather hard not being invited to the wedding[—]I should have been there in spite of all if I had known but discretion is the better part of valour. Arabel’s bullying me.
Adieu your most
affectionate brother
Sept
love of course to my new brother to whom I shall write soon[.]
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
1. Dated by having been enclosed in SD1420.
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