SD392. Samuel Moulton-Barrett (uncle) to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 328 (in part).
Spa Hotel, Gloucester
23d July [1821]
My dearest Addles,
Though you must have suffer<ed co>nsiderable disappointment at the time I had hopes that your philosophy would have been sufficient to resign you to it, Papa will have told you how great was my lamentation when I learned that the Carrier’s cart being full. It was impossible to send you the Canary Birds, Fortunately this occurrence took place, for in consequence of the delay I have procured you a much more beautiful pair, & a Cage both more elegant, & larger than the one I had engaged to send you. As you, sweet Mother of an approaching family, are about to take upon you the tender anxiety of a fond Parent, I must needs give you some general instructions as the rearing & general treatment of your winged offspring– In the first place then you must clean the bottom of your cage once a week, or twice sprinkling it with a little fine sand, you must feed them every day, blowing the shell of the seed which has been eat off the surface, & adding to it a little fresh se<ed> likewise fresh water every day in the glass on the outside, & a flat saucer of water in the inside for them to wash in; In lieu of the wool which is now at the bottom of the Cage for the Hen to make her nest with, I should recommend you to take some of the fine hair with which Masons mix up their mortar, to wash & dry it well in the sun & to put a small quantity of it— This last has the advantage over the wool that it does not adhere to the feet of the young– When the hen has young you must give them egg boiled nine minutes chopped as fine as you can & keep the rug clean. The reason why there are two nests is, that the Hen very often begins making a second nest before the young are quite out of the first, in which case if there are not two nests the Mother will very often pluck & destroy her young. Daly will shew you a weed called groundsel of which Canaries are very fond. give them a little of it– I think my dear Addles I have said as much as is sufficient to enable you to make a very Numerous family, I am sure I have said all I know– May they thrive under your gentle care, affording you much amusement, & deriving from you in return that care & kindness which I trust the gentleness of your disposition will cheerfully give them.
Ever my dearest Addles, yours
Most affectionately
SB.
You always direct Spar, it is not so, but Spa.
Addressed and franked on integral page: Gloucester July twenty three 1821 / Miss H. Barrett / Hope End / Ledbury.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
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