Supporting Documents

SD323.  Henrietta Moulton-Barrett & Mary Moulton-Barrett to Arabella Moulton-Barrett

Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 321 (in part).

Novr 7th 1819

[In Henrietta Moulton-Barrett’s hand]

Many many thanks for your beautiful letter. I wish you were here my dearest Arabell I should like to see you very much indeed and I dare say you would like to come as well as I should like to see you for it must be very cold at Worthing indeed[.] I suppose you hardly ever go out of doors now[.] I dare say you get on with your lessons as well as ever[.] Grandmother Clarke is now crossing the sea for they are going first to Kinersley [sic] and then I am glad to say they are coming here[.] I wish you were here to enjoy the same as all of us do[.] Uncle John brought Bro such a pretty little tame partridge but I am sorry to say it was killed with the frost[.] I am very sorry Bro has been such an idle boy in not writing to you, sooner but he is going to write immediately, and I hope I shall hear from you as soon as you are able. I hope dearest Minny is quite well pray give her my best love[.] we are very sorry to hear Minnys Mother is still so ill for I am very sorry any thing should happen to make dearest Minney unhappy. Now I must finish to take an opportunity of going out whilst the sun is a little brilliant.

I am your affecte Sister

Henrietta

[Continued by Mary Moulton-Barrett]

Beloved Babes—Hentta has been so long writing her letter, that John Cooks horn sounds for the post before she gives up her pen to me—but my loves & kisses must be sent on the road to Worthing today– I am quite unhappy to hear Minney is still in so much anxiety– Tell her, if she wishes any day to go to the North, that we desire she will deposit an darling for the time <she is> absent in Baker St. We ar<e> all quite well here, enjoying some fine wea<ther> which I trust you have– I am very sorry the cough is not quite gone! Esther is so unwell that she is obliged to go home again, and I do not know that she will be able to come back, tho’ she is already better, but she has not strength for so much bustle tho’ her mother is anxious she should keep the place.– Betsy has her sister to help her just now– I was pleased with the writing of your letters to your Sisters, my beloved Child– My heart longs to see you, but Papa thinks we ought not to move you just yet, excepting for the purpose of Minnys going North if she wishes it, when we should be truly unhappy to prevent her– Mama has been riding thro’ the dirty lanes to Church today, when I hope you too have been– Tell Minny to let me know how her leg is, & particularly if the blue on your cheek is quite gone– Little Henry plays with Storm & George merrily—poor Sam was naughty today, spilling water in the Nursery, & could not breakfast with us– May God bless you my sweet Babes, & make you good & happy!

Ever yr. Affec Mother

MB–

Love to Minny

Address, in Henrietta Moulton-Barrett’s hand, on integral page: Miss A Barrett / 43 High street / Worthing.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

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