SD1423. George Goodin Moulton-Barrett to Henrietta Cook

Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 16, 295 (in part).

Inner Temple

Tuesday [Postmark: 9 April 1850]

My dear Henrietta

I did not receive your letter till yesterday or I should have replied to it before.

For its very kind & affectionate tone, pray receive my best thanks; it would have quite disarmed me of every angry word, if in anger I had been disposed to write. But such was not my feeling, for apart from prudential motives, in the last act of your drama, I gladly assure you I see nothing to condemn. I think you were not called upon to do more than to communicate to the Govr your views, & to seek his sanction to their completion, the refusal of which in my opinion could not invalidate your right to pursue the course you did.

The wisdom of your conduct Henrietta may have a different complexion, however, of that you are the best judges. But I am much afraid, you will not be able to live in very stately splendour, or revel in many luxuries, and of course you wont be happy without these!

Will you tell Cook with my regards that I was not in the least annoyed at his observations about me. How Harry could have argued that I was I cant conceive, as I was silent upon the subject.

Wishing you heartily all possible happiness,

I am dear Henrietta

Yrs affty

G M Barrett

Address: Mrs Surtees Cook / 3 Oriel Place / Weston Super Mare.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.

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