SD302. Richard Barrett (1789–1839) to Elizabeth Moulton
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 320 (in part).
Barrett hall
Jany 27. 1819.
Melancholy, dear Aunt, is my task, & more melancholy the task I have to impose on you. I was taken ill sixteen days ago, & two days after, Edward was also ill. I cd not have the sad comfort of attending my poor brother, indeed he never was thought to be in danger, & the doctors told me he wd recover first. I had been able to move from my bed to a sopha for two days, & sometimes went into Edward’s room– He had been ill now for ten days & on the night of the tenth, I retired to bed with strange forebodings, so long an illness began to alarm me. Early next morning I made my usual enquiry, & for the first time was told he was much worse. At day-light I was informed that he had had spasms throughout the night, & that he was as bad as possible, & the Doctors refusing me admission to his room, I cd no longer hope. I was hurried from the house to this place, I have since learnt that my poor dear brother had ceased to exist before I left the Springs where we both were. Poor fellow,—he was elected member of assembly for this parish on the 5th & was no more on the 23d Every body loved him. He wd have been an honour to his family in Jamaica as a public character. He shd not have died. Dear Edward used to say, that his health had improved in this country, & so every one thought. It is to you, my dear Aunt, that I confide the severe & necessary duty of breaking this heart-rending event to my mother. I hope she will bear up against it.
Kind regards to Trepsack– I leave Jamaica, if I live, in April.
Most affy Yrs
Richd Barrett
Address, on integral page: Mrs Moulton / 73. Baker St / Portman Square / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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