SD263. Edward Moulton-Barrett (brother) to Arabella Graham-Clarke (aunt)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 318 (in part).
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[20 September 1817]
I trust my beloved Bum will not be displeased by the unvaried strain of my letters but as I know the kind interest she takes in my little affairs I must again beg her attention. Oh my dearest Bum what should I do without you my chickens would certainly not for want of good management I must now unload to you my grief and pour my afflictions into your bosom Alas my old hen does not lay regularly it is two months since she began and she has not layed more than six eggs. I must now tell you some news that will surprise you—one of the white hens turned out to be a cock so as I had two cocks I thought as they would fight I had better exchange one with Papa for a hen, and I chose the specled one as I wished to keep my breed white—so it is now at the farm and struts about as proudly as possibly. I have exchanged it for a little Bantum which will lay very soon the young hen I think is a better layer than the old one, but they both stop very often I must indeed beg your advice upon this point. What do you [think] is a good thing for them to eat and do you think milk is good for them to drink my dearest Bum? I have begun to keep the young hens eggs for as she has layed a great manny I am afraid if I do not begin I will not have eggs to set her as to the old hen I am afraid she will not lay any more to keep. My dearest Bum I know will tell me what she would do if she was in my troublesome situation the little Bantum will “I hope” will in a few days begin to suply me with eggs but as she has not now got out of my farm I cannot tell if she lays or not but her comb is very red which is I hear a true sign. I have changed my mind entirely about the pig. I offered to buy it of Papa but he replied that he did not like to have pigs in the garden for if they got out they would destroy every thing and even if they were not able to affect this it would not be a very agreeable smelling bottle so finding my project corked up on every side I have changed it to having a tame lamb which when it grows up I might confine in a field of my own I hope you will pardon these castles in the air my sweet Bum for I am afraid they are without much foundation. Richmond Lass has calved a fine cow calf which was taken from the mother after the first day.
Publication: None traced.
Source: Copy in Berg Collection.
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