SD1533. Edward George Barrett to Georgiana Elizabeth Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 17, 277 (in part).
Spanish Town.–
Dec: 23. 1851
My dear Missy
Thank you very much to both for the books you sent by Mr Stewart, & those you are to send by the Statira. I am quite joyful at the idea of getting so many Italian books that I have long desired.
Mr Stewart speaks in most flattering terms of you, not that I put much confidence in the hyperbole of Irishmen, but still his praise was grateful to my ear. He said your Daguerreotype is by no means a flattering likeness. It has however awoke in me a stronger desire of seeing you, and I really think I love you better since I have made closer acquaintance with you, or rather your shadow.
But it cannot yet be; and I am sorry that you still seem so anxious on that point. My dear little sister must still be but a vision to me; one it is that frequently visits me; a sweet face and soft voice, unreal though they be, are often companions of my loneliness, and inhabitants of many of my air-castles. However it is better philosophy to hope than to repine, even although the fulfilment of Hope may be plainly far distant. I was in Kingston last week, and hoped to send you another portrait of myself, but in going to the place where they are taken, the collection of human monsters there exhibited as faithful, was so atrocious, that really I lacked the courage to sit.
I came down here last week to be examined, thinking that to be the longest stride I could take at present, as I had not had time to gather up the various forms & testimonials desired to be produced before ordination. However the Bishop smoothed every difficulty, and showed himself not only willing, but anxious to meet my views in every way. So having passed what the Bishop’s Chaplain said was a “most satisfactory” examination, I was ordained on last Sunday at “Halfway-tree” Church, about 3 or 4 miles from Kingston; there were five or six other parsons manufactured at the same time, so I had plenty of company. The church was crowded, and tremendously hot, and I, being black cloth up to the mast-head and enveloped in a thick black silk gown, had the full benefit of this temperature. However I stand heat very well and showed no great outward symptoms of distress; but some of my fellow-sufferers, particularly one potato-faced Paddy, were in an absolute state of liquefaction.
We afterwards lunched with the Bishop, and were so crowded as scarcely to have room for eating. “His Lordship” asked me where I wished to be placed: I said “St Ann’s” and on his demanding what vacancy there was there for me to fill, I mentioned Stewart-town, which is close to Storm, and the parson of which has gone to England in very bad health. The Bishop immediately consented to locate me at that Station, and I am now waiting for my license &c, when I shall take charge of my “cure.” There is a large field for the exercise of my great abilities, in the district committed to my care. The church will hold 500 or 600 persons, and the congregation averages from 15 to 20! There is a large population, but the clergymen who have hitherto had the superintendence of it, have been very so-so specimens of clericality and the Baptists & Wesleyans have completely beaten them. However as it is very mortifying to have to write a whole sermon for 20 people I shall try hard to fill my church, and if I am successful, and the present incumbent will kindly depart this life, I have no doubt but that I shall get his appointment. As his Curate I am only to get £120 per ann: if I step into his shoes, I shall have £350 per ann:.
I have written to Storm begging of him to look out for a small house for me. The clergymen before me have lived at the Great House of Manchester Estate—but it is very low, hemmed in by mountains, and therefore very unhealthy, so I won’t take my quarters there, I would rather buy a big umbrella and live under that on one of the hills about. It is delightful to be so near Storm. The Retreat land runs within two hundred yards of the Church. I have many other friends within an easy distance; Shirley, Blagrove, Capt. Dawson, &c:, and Pedro’s is only 27 or 28 miles distant, so that I can ride over every two or three weeks, & give an eye to the pens. If I keep my health I don’t doubt but that the Bishop will shove me on, as he seems properly to appreciate the benefit of having gentlemen in the Church if he can get them, and although my name prevented my getting a Bookeeper’s situation, it will be a powerful aid to me in my present career.
Good bye my darling.
Yr affect brother
E G Barrett
You must for the future direct to me at “Stewart-town P.O. Trelawny– (It is in Trelawney, but close to the line of St Ann’s.)
Address: Miss Barrett / Miss Bourlier / London Lane / Hackney / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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