SD242. George Goodin Barrett (1792–1854) to Edward Barrett (1791–1819)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 317 (in part).
[ ]
[19 May 1816] [1]
<***> happiness and for so small a trifle”; she said “No my George it was not for the bracelets, I thought you might have intended them for some other person; you know I was not born to this state, and the only thing that made it supportable was being with you; my resolution has long been formed never to quit you, and as you have always opposed it, my happiness was destroyed. I die satisfied.” and she sank soon after almost insensible upon the floor. The Doctor then came in, when we cut her clothes to get at her wounds: He tooks his probe and endeavoured to discover their depth; but said nothing. We then got her on the bed, when the surgeon found a vein in her right arm, from which with much difficulty he found a small quantity of blood; he then tried the left, but with still less success: both together only yielding a small liqueur glass full, he then said it is no use bandaging her arms; during this she opened her eyes, and said, [“]I am smothered, I cannot breathe; Oh my Dearest Mother (and regarding her breast,) Oh what an atrocious crime; Oh George”!– Her eyes then began to roll, she was as cold as marble, her pulse was entirely gone, there was no motion at her heart, her lips became livid, a dark circle surrounded her eyelids, the cold damp perspiration of death rested upon her face, her mouth was filled with spittle, she had no power, no feeling in her limbs, and the frequent distortions of her countenance, bespoke the quick dissolution of my poor, dear Sophie. The doctor took off her stocking and feeling her ancle, which was like glass, shook his head with the expression of despair. He ordered something warm to put her feet in, and gooseberry juice and iced water to drink; and calling me out of the room, he said, She can scarcely live a quarter of an hour; she has pierced her heart in two places; I will return in about two hours, and in the meantime give her often of the iced drink it will stop perhaps the internal flowing of the blood; and that is the only chance we have. After remaining for some time without motion she opened her eyes with difficulty, and we put her feet in the warm water, which caused her to vomit, but gave her no relief; her [illegible word], her eyes, her |feet|, still as though death had his cold hand upon her body. To endeavour to get her senses together, I said. “Sophie, my dear faithful Sophie, we shall be so happy in England together, you shall never quit me.” She replied with great pain: [“]I am afraid it is too late; but if anything can save me, the promise of never quitting you will, give me your word of honor, that what you say, is not merely to amuse me at this moment.” The surgeon soon after again arrived, and was astonished at her being still alive—he said, the wounds upon her heart, were inflicted upon the thick side fortunately, and that if kept perfectly tranquil, she might have some chance; provided she drank the iced water frequently. But, that she could hardly avoid falling into a consumption. He then ordered 10 leaches which had some good effect. She complains sadly of her respiration, and a great pain about her back and shoulders. She now hinges between life and death. What a prospect is mine, to see expire <…> the only girl I ever sincerely loved, of wounds inflicted from a doubt of my attachment. I cannot consider the picture, without almost losing my senses. Adieu My Dearest Edward
|Yours|. George.
Keep this letter for me I cannot read it again to take a copy, and it is the only one I have nerves to write. Give it me in England. She has just called me to her bedside and said; “now that I desire to live, I fear I shall not be able.”
Address: Captn E Barrett / Hope End / Ledbury / Herefordshire.
Docket: 1816. May 19 / G. G. Barrett.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
1. Dated by docket.
___________________
