SD1896. Mary Robinson to Henrietta Cook
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 22, 266 (in part).
Wimpole Street
Dec 27 [1855] [1]
My dear Mrs Cook
I feel ashamed of myself when looking over your kind letters to day that I have never acknowleged [sic] it but I think you will forgive me when I received it I was very unwell and so busy that I did not know how to get through it before they came home so many things is always to be done at the last[.] My illness settled down in my legs and when they came home I was quite done up oblidge to go to bed where I have been ever since[.] Thank God I am much better and hope to be down stairs soon.
I was much disapointed we did not see you last summer but you were quite right in not coming[.] Very sorry to hear of all your sufferings before and the loss of poor Martha[.] I saw her when they were out of Town. She was looking thin her Father was very poorly you would hear he had left that place.
I think most of the Family improved in health except Miss Barrett. Those sweld legs and hands shows something wrong in the system altogether. She is not at all well to day her strength is not equal to the great exersions [sic] she makes. She has very good spirits and thinks she can never do enough among those Poor People[.] Mr Septimus got a little of his old complaint again but I hope it will quickly go off the skating was too tempting to be |resisted|[.] We have now mild raining weather again, Mr Barrett is well a very little coughing sometimes[.]
Miss Tripsack is a wonder they are just taking her a Plumpuding Turkey & Goose[.] She dont mind being poisoned with it, She is either insane or very wicked it is quite awful to see her calling on the Supreme Being to witness a lie She came in a cab to see me when they were out of town to tell me how the ill she had been used I said all I could but could not convince her it was wrong. She is in a melancholy state always speaking of her o<wn> good works, may the Lord ch<an>ge her hard heart[.] I am very sorry for her[.] Did Mast Altham get a parcel on Christmas day from Miss Barrett those dear little children I think I see them singing in church[.] Sweet Little Mary shaking her head when I last saw her and saying I am doin away how she did look so pretty I think I see her Now– I am so Sorry to hear of Mrs Stones great loss her married Life was short I am glad to hear she bears it so well it is a great trial May the Lord be her support and comfort and you my dear Mrs Cook may the Lord give you strenth to bear your coming trouble keep up your spirits that is a great thing and trust in the tender mercy of our God[.]
your ever attached Sevt
Minny
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
1. Year provided by reference to the death of Thomas Bruce Stone, 7 October 1855.
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