SD310. Samuel Moulton-Barrett (uncle) to Mary Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 321 (in part).
Baker St. 10
[ca. May 1819]
My dear Mary,
It is only necessary to say that your proposition to accommodate the choice of Bathing place to the caprices of my affectionate GrdMother, was received so graciously that it is now determined that no scène shall take place, that the choice shall be vested in you, & that malgré the want of eatables, drinkables, & comfortables Worthing shall be fixed on—as I do not feel personally interested, I will not protest against your selection of a watering place which has no one agrément to commend it– The society at Malvern this year is to be honored by the residence of Lord Grey & his whole family. The air & waters are recommended for Ld. Norwich, with very faint hope that either will profit him much. It is really melancholy that the eldest son to such a nobleman, should be so cruelly afflicted with disease (I understand of a scroufulous [sic] nature) as to be quite incompetent to undergo fatigue of any kind, or even to move without assistance. Should your air make him less burdensome to his family, I will brush up my muse, & write a couplet by way of puff in your provincial papers.
London is becoming so excessively unpleasant from the heat of the weather, & the buz[z]ing of New Fans, that I am wishing myself quietly deposited on an Iceburg at the botton of Baffin’s Bay, as a reprieve from both. By-the-bye if the Herefordshire Farmer has got his turnips saved, & his sheep rubbed for the rot, why should he not speculate upon an excursion into the interior of America, & attempt to make a settlement in Pittsburg or Kentucky as a provision for younger children. Daily emigrations are taking place, & becoming so fashionable even among the better class of adventurers, that I suspect I shall still live to see the seat of Government removed across the Atlantic, & the treasure of the Thames flow into the St. Lawrence. “Hot Rolls & Butter in the Month of June” have long been scouted from polished society, but what will you think of an invitation from Sharpe to dine at Fishmongers Hall at 1/2 past four with The Thermometer at 80? He tells me (what a contrast to an invitation from Lord Grey) that I am to call at the Counting House to wash my hands &c at 4 oClock, & that I am to be en botte—I shall be as red as a Lobster before I am five minutes in the Hall, & shall sing the Te Deum whan I am released from the kettle of Fish– I forgot to tell you that I dined at the Durham Club which is held annually here & had the satisfaction of looking at a bad dinner for the small sum of £1.1 Eating of it, was out of the case, for the Durhamites liking ham, & there being a very large one opposite me, my sole occupation was [watching them] stuffing their craws to the great pugnance of my stomach. By way of satisfaction my health was given, drunk with applause & thanks returned in a neat & appropriate speech which lasted five minutes & consisted of about as many words. I am thinking of standing for the City, but if you have any predilection for the County, I am still open to conviction. Ld. Steuart has been playing the great man in the North, & throwing a new light upon our daily politics. A contest for the County will of necessity occur when a dissolution takes place, but who will stand, or who will be elected is far beyond the conjecture of any one less than a Lambton or Lord Steuart– Lady [illegible word] has let her home for ten years, & follows (bag & baggage) the fortunes of her Daughter. Her Ladyship is so much changed that with the exception of her person, which is vastly globular, you would scarcely identify her. Her manners are quieter, her establishment greatly reduced, & her hours of rising, sleeping &c—nearly as moderate or rather reasonable as the rest of the World. I strongly suspect my friend Phelps of a policy extending beyond the present moment; Saving’s will be appropriated to himself, & the “Earldom of Hereford & all those moveables,” will be no bad substitute by way of indemnity for the loss of a plump bedfellow. Lambton leaves London next Thursday & has invited me to take a seat in his carriage drive. I did not accept the offer, nor did I refuse it, for I was unacquainted with the geography of the Country. I have since learnt that the Lady’s Maid (who is rather pretty) goes on the box, I have therefore declined the offer, & shall take my chance of his Majestys Mail on Tuesday, next– I shall write to Edward probably on Sunday, for I have the contents of Letters to communicate to him from Jamaica– Adieu to you all. Ever affectionately
Yours— Sam
Do you know Frederic[k] Douglas? (Ld. Glenbervie’s son)– He is to be married to Miss Wrightson (the Heiress) whom Edward once met at Boddington’s. He announced the event to Lambton in the House of Commons, where the following Questions & Answers were put & answered:
Q. Are you going to be married?
A. Yes. I now announce it.
Q. Is she good looking?
A. She is rather fair.
Q. What fortune has she?
A. 5000 £ a year.
Q. Is she a desirable looking woman?
A. Not very.
It is possible I might myself have been successful had I in days of yore considered that fortune was the only one thing wanting, & that bad legs, an awkward figure, gauche manners, & a drawling conversation were secondary considerations!
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
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