SD503. Arabella Graham-Clarke to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 336 (in part).
Fenham
Thursday [?February 1825]
My dearest Henrietta
Your letter charmed me and I should not have delayed expressing the great pleasure it affor<de>d me, had I not been particularly engaged. I know your kind nature will pardon me, and will gladly receive this dispatch,—which I hope may not partake of the gloom of the weather, as it snows at this moment as industriously as it ought to have done in December. My merriment however seldom freezes therefore adieu to all storms, and instead of in vain calling my Muse to my aid, let me gather together all the news likely to contribute to your amusement. The gaiety of partaking of good puddings & pies has nearly been my only calling from home, save an Assize Ball last Thursday which was as good as the Duke of Northd & Judge Bailey’s big wig would make it. James’s long and numerous flirtation detained me till 3 O’Clock and in spite of the Beaux and Belles, I was more than happy to doff my finery and to find my testa enveloped in my bonnet de nuit. The day before we had dined at Dunstan Hill where at the gambling game of Loo, my poor purse returned home thinned of a Soverign– I have lost this winter such a fortune in playing at it that even to run the chance of giving you half my winning I do not think I shall even be persuaded to brave its dangers–Yesterday I again partook of boiled Turkey & a saddle of Mutton at Mr Cookson’s where I heard his daughter (a Jeune Demoiselle of your age) play a very pretty piece of music, which I will send you by the first opporunity, as I know you will perform it so well– Dearest Henrietta how can I have penned so far without expressing (tho’ faintly) our general admiration & surprise on James opening your present the other day, Indeed were we not aware of your talent & industry we should almost doubt the dogs being the produce of your pencil. The drawing is really quite beautiful, & has both the touch of Spirit and delicacy– James was charmed with your sweet attention, and should he not already have written to you, I know he will do so in a few days as he feels most anxious to return you his thanks—perhaps you do not know that I have a great passion for drawings however trifling. Now do you ever take a hint either broad or narrow? Tho’ it be a melancholy subject for you, I think dearest Mama may feel rather anxious to hear of poor Mrs Bell, who suffered the amputation of her toe last Wednesday, which I hope may be of service but at present she continues to suffer great pain night & day & for a few days I fear it cannot be ascertained whether it proceeds from disease or from the operation. I sat an hour with her last Monday, when she made many enquiries after you all. A letter from Fanny this week <I am> sorry to say gives an indifferent accout of Char<lotte> who I hope is only suffering from cold, <but> Fanny thought it necessary to send for Dr Stone—perhaps you may have heard from Jane, She reached London last Friday but I will leave her to say all she ought to tell you of herself[.] Fanny proposes that Mother & I should <…> this Sum<mer> us <…>
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I am glad to hear my sweet Henrietta that our beautiful Cottage still remains in the same order[.] how often do I think of your excellent cakes & the many breakfast[s] I have had in it, as the Spring advances I suppose you commence your parties, & will quite
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Arabel & all my darling my affectionate love. Oh! that I could give all a kiss in this room. Will this summer still not bring you?—& to dearest Mama I will write next– Kindest regards to her & dearest Papa and ever My
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Since I finished this scratch, I have had another letter from Fanny giving a very good account of Charlotte who she says is so well that Dr Stone has taken his leave & she returns <to> Ballintemple |so| our anxiety <ha>s not been of a very long duration–
Address, on integral page: Miss Henrietta Barrett / Hope End.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
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