SD400. Mary Moulton-Barrett to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 328 (in part).
[Gloucester]
[24 August 1821]
My sweet Addles
Your pretty letters please our darling Ba more than any of her little enjoyments– She slept very well last night, & has been very comfortable today—the pain in the ribs I am sorry to say, still follows the spasm, but it does not last long. I feel very uneasy about my poor little Georgy, & heartily wish I could cut myself in two—tomorrow I trust we may hear of the measles being out–
Ask Maddox to look what quantity of tamarinds is in the house, & to write me a line Enclosed in one of your letters—desire her also to send the next time any fruit comes, some of the Cayenne pepper not of the bottle which has not been opened & which stands in my Wardrobe– She can fill a large Vial– I cannot yet say exactly how soon I shall see my beloved Children, but I daresay it will not be very long– This Morng the Corporation here recd a Message from the King to say he had a grateful recollection of the good dinner they once gave him, & was sorry he could not pay them so long a visit today on his way thro’ today. They of course expected a Short one, & accordingly the Mayor & Alderman, the Dean & Prebendaries all arrayed in their robes, were assembled at Dowlings, all the richest fare that time allowed spread out, the inhabitants crowding the Streets & bells ringing, When lo & behold his Majesty had the cruelty to drive as fast as his horses would carry him thro’ the Town, without taking notice of any body in it–
The Aldermen tried to comfort themselves for the affront by Eating up the Royal Collation, & the disappointed crowd by Abuse– Dear Bro was of the latter Class—& tho’ Ba allowed him to go, she said very indignantly, it was what she would not do herself– God bless all my darling children–
Ever their affte Mother
Ba eat the breast of a partridge today & enjoyed it very much– Remember me kindly to Mrs Orme–
Address, on integral page: Henrietta.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
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