SD354. Charlotte Graham-Clarke to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 323 (in part).
Fenham
Thursday Morning 5th October 1820
You say I ought to write to you my sweetest Henrietta and were all my duties of an equally pleasurable nature how readily and joyfully should they be performed!—at the moment however my conscience does indeed smite me and while I acknowledge my natural idleness about writing I grieve that I should have given such evident proofs of yielding to bad habits by so long neglecting my promise to begin a correspondence with you my darling pet whom I love with much more affection than I ever can express but only tell me that you forgive me this time, and henceforth I think you will perceive a rapid improvement—indeed it will be a great treat for me to hear from you, particularly if you tell me that you are able to skip about again enjoying all the fun of the dear Hope End party great and small & laughing as heartily as you used to do at the Variety of good jokes between that impudent Mr. Storm and his good for nothing Papa. The wish that we were all together at this moment I find as irresistable as it is vain since it appears the “Turkish Mansion” itself with all its towers and domes, might be almost as easily moved from its lovely resting place as the flinty hearts of the treasured inhabitants could be softened into an idea of journeying into these distant regions.—The loss indeed is ours for alas! we can neither anticipate private theatricals, masquerades, or the like merry makings to enliven our Christmas fireside, however we must in self defense make it blaze as brightly as we can by talking over past happiness and planning joys to come in seeing you all next year which we positively must find some means of accomplishing, either by force or by argument– Your old Maiden Aunts Will promise to shake off as much of their natural stiffness as they can to frisk about and show you all the Lions and as far as temptations of pet dogs, Fox, Parrot, & Monkey can go we may offer a large share of amusement as they are here in perfection. James has lately added a ring tailed monkey to his already well stocked Menagerie which I think would very soon become a grand favorite with my friends Sam Storm and George—it is precisely like a little old man and full of mischievous tricks—then there would just be a very little farming for your tiresome Pap<a & > Mama could toddle about any & everywhere– Ba must <have> her sanctum & you may appropriate as large a place as you can find in my snuggery for your Various Employments—in short I think we might contrive to spend our time very Cannily with nice rides, walks, & drives in the jaunting car– Bell’s farming goes on better than ever—she has now fifteen beautiful pigs by which she means to make a fortune and in the generosity of her heart she has just presented me with one of her treasured family which I assure you I prize very highly.
I took a canter to Newbeggin the other day, and saw your friends Matilda and Dulcy Bell—the latter reminds us very much of you, therefore you may suppose she is not a favorite—they always ask a great deal about you all—Jane spent two days with them last week when they had a grand feast in the Cottage, made their own cakes &c—and had a famous romp after. We have had two letters from dear Fanny & Emma Heseltine since they left us– They are quite well but I do not think their last report of Rotterdam & its inhabitants so favorable as their first impression– They say it is very dull and stupid and I believe in their hearts often wish themselves here again. They are in hopes of going to the Hague for a few days from which they expected much pleasure—and give an account of a little gaiety they had enjoyed in going to a sort of Vauxhall during the Kermes or great Fair– The illuminations were very brilliant and a great many fine rooms thrown open with delightful music—nevertheless it was a dull scene, the gentlemen walked about smoking their pipes, and the ladies looked almost asleep—so much for dutch gaiety– How happy you must have been when dearest Bro was with you. I daresay he amused you all the day long with histories of his school adventures and mischievous tricks, making my friend Sam long to join the party—is sweet little Henry as great a pet as ever? I feel that I owe him a sort of grudge, because I never could Coax myself into his favor last year—tell me also when you write how your own small family are whether Master Brummels body grows in proportion to his head— and how you get on with your charitable wardrobe—in short tell me all the Hope End news you can think of– I send you a very stupid letter because I am a very stupid person and hear nothing very amusing to entertain you with– Say everything kind and affectionate with a Waggon load of kisses to all the lodgers in Nursery Row with a thousand loves from everyone here to dear Papa and Mama Always believe me my sweetest pet Henrietta
Your most sincerely affectionate Lotte
Pray remember us all most kindly to our old friend Minny, who we hope is quite well–
Bowmaker is quite well & desires her best love to her dear Pet & every body in Nursery Row. Remember my sweet Harry you must not publish my letters like my darling Storm put them out of your pocket into the fire– Jane is very anxious to know how your music goes on–
Address, on integral page: Miss Henrietta Barrett / Hope End / Ledbury.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
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