SD1727. Edward George Barrett to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 20, 366 (in part).
Alexandria P.O.
April 17. 1854
My dear Mr Barrett
My father’s dying state forces him to desire me to answer your letter of Dec: 30– That letter was, from some mistake of the Post Office, only received last week–
My father desires me to repeat his most grateful acknowledgment of your kindness, & to say that he feels the deepest regret at having so long left my sister a burthen on your hands– Necessity is the excuse he has to offer– You are perhaps not fully aware of the ruin which his nephew’s dishonesty has brought upon him—the number of stock upon the pens should be 720; they are now reduced to 435—the debts owing amount to about £4200, of which £1000 must be paid by the end of this year—to meet this the proceeds of the property will be about £400– My father is now dependant [sic] upon borrowed money for his support during his few remaining days– It was no thoughtlessness or negligence on his part, which led him to act toward you as he has done, but the complete inability of providing means for moving his daughter– Were his life to be prolonged for one or two years, he [would] not have a shilling in the world, nor the power of raising one–
He has been cheered by the late intelligence that my Mother’s trustees are willing to allot a share of her income to my sister; sufficient, I hope, to make her comfortable with Mrs Ryves– You will not doubt that the necessity which compelled my father to leave his daughter thus dependent, & to run the risk of alienating his dearest friend, has caused him the keenest pain, & proved the greatest sorrow of his poverty–
To his physician’s surprise, he still survives– Dropsy has now supervened, & the water is fast increasing– He is very weary: & longs for the time of his departure.
I remain, My dear Mr Barrett,
Yrs most sincerely
E G Barrett
Docket: E. Barrett / April 17. 1854 / Recd May 17th / Ansd June 1st / Jamaica.
Publication: Barrett, pp. 135–136 (in part).
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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