SD398. Samuel Moulton-Barrett (uncle) to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 328 (in part).
Gloucester
[11 August 1821] [1]
Dearest Addles.
As your affections are now so directed to your dear Canaries, I am the more flattered that you still condescend to write to us– Such Maternal attentions as yours are too valuable not to be justly appreciated by your feathered tribe, May the eggs repay you for your anxiety & in the course of a short time convey in the soft pratting of four little ones how very dear you are to them: I look forward to their inheriting all the soft tones of their Father, & all the gentle disposition of their Mother, & in time repaying your tender solicitude by the harmony of their voices, & the tameness of their natures– I cannot too much praise both Nature & Art which have by their united gifts enabled you to execute a drawing so worthy of our prime painters, & I cannot sufficiently express the gratitude I feel that you have thought me worthy of being the deposit of the wonderful trait of your genius; Whilst my dear Addles the voices of your Canaries & their offspring shall lie dumb in the tomb of time, Your beautiful drawing shall increase in value with time, & earn you fresh Laurels with the most distant generations– Tender Raphael Adieu—he your warmest admirer, & most devoted friend.
SMB.
Addressed and franked on integral page: Gloucester August eleven—1821 / Miss H. Barrett / Hope End / Ledbury.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
1. Dated by the frank.
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