SD466. Samuel Moulton-Barrett (uncle) to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 334 (in part).
[Gloucester]
[ca. 1824] [1]
My dear Henrietta.
For once I stand acquitted of the sin of opening letters inasmuch as my Mother broke the seal of yours, but being once opened, I greedily devoured its contents in common with the rest of our party. I have long had it in view to give you a bit of my mind, but as a fair opportunity was wanting to me, I unwillingly deferred it until such time as such should present itself—a passage in your letter affords me the Peg, so excuse me if with your leave or without it I hang my hat on it– Before beginning, by way of Dedication, let me announce to you that “my bit of mind” is wholly & exclusively for yourself, Mama & Ba: now to proceed: the text upon which I mean to comment is the passage in your letter in which you allude to Bro’s & Sams application for cloathes to their Father: Bro has no excuse for making this application, for first he had cloathes in December last, & secondly I have at various times asked him whether he required any, & his answer was always in the Negative: I excuse however any thing from Bro, he neither knows better, nor can he do better– But I trust you do, & that you will reflect well, & act cautiously in avoiding any thing which may add to your Fathers expenses, as well as avail yourself of every means of saving him even an application. The result of the late law suit has most unfortunately made it absolutely necessary to consult his pocket as anxiously as an affectionate Child like yourself would consult his feelings– Charity being most required at home, must not travel so much abroad as it used to do– I say this now especially to you dearest Addles, not to reproach, but to guide you that you may know that not until you shall have supplied your own wants, as well as those about you, can you be said to be as likely to assist others. As my own means are of late much improved I hope to be able (not so much out of affection for you all) as out of regard to my Brother to lighten the burden of providing for your immediate expenses– You will I hope consider this as exclusively applicable for necessaries & not to be laid out otherwise, whilst Ba will I hope, religiously apply her spinsters mite to the same purpose. Unless this be so understood & so applied my object is not gained, & you continue as great a burden upon <***>
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
1. Dated by reference to law suit.
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