SD513. Mary Clementina Moulton-Barrett to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 337 (in part).
[Hastings]
[11 April 1825] [1]
My dearest Henrietta,
I do indeed owe you my very best thanks told in the most affectionate manner for your very kind remembrance of me in the beautifully executed drawing you have sent me– I can scarcely tell which pleased me most your kind affection which induced you to employ yourself in drawing me a remembrance which I shall greatly value, or your own rapid improvement and great success in all your pursuits of which this pretty drawing forms another proof, and which give so much pleasure to all your friends–
Thank you all most kindly for your Anxiety on my Account—my cough has not yet done much credit to the excessive kindness with which I am surrounded; it is however better, and will I doubt not soon give way to such good nursing and this mild climate– I rejoice to say dear Mrs M. is greatly better, and is able again to mount these pretty hills: she is now looking forward to a change of residence which I doubt not we shall all enjoy: for tho’ our present abode is most prettily situated with a Commanding view of “Ocean’s wide expanse” yet the summer residence which is close to the sea-side: the delights of which we may enjoy at every moment will be still more pleasant–
Sam joined us on Friday, and a most happy party we have here which could only be added to could we command some of the wonders of the Arabian Nights: and transport the dear inmates of Hope End here: what an addition that wod be to our Society I need not say, & I think I could also guess how much we should all enjoy some of those beautiful rambles!– I fear tho’ it would then be impossible to keep me within the prescribed bounds of the house, which is now rather a difficult task–
I rejoice in the improved accounts of your dear Mother, whom, I trust to learn <is> now quite re-established in health and <the> good looks which speak it so well<.> You sent so many pretty emblems of Spring <to> |Gough| Street, that Sam and myself, in the happy ignorance of Londoners expected to see every beauty of nature smiling to welcome, our first expedition from the Metropolis. When then only leafless trees greeted us, we were half inclined exclaim against the deceptive but sweet roses & violets which perfumed your letter, & promised us so much[.] Pray tell your dear Mother and Ba that I am grateful for their kind letters, which I only delay to answer according to the dictates of my heart; but will not do so at this moment that another post may carry my letters, & thus increase the frequency of my giving you intelligence of dear Mrs M and Trepsack whille … I am with you– I never saw Trepsack looking or seeming better[.] With kindest love
Believe me dear Henrietta
Your truly affectionate
M C Barrett.
Addressed and franked by Samuel Moulton-Barrett (uncle): Hastings April eleven 1825 / Miss H. Barrett / Hope End / Ledbury / S M Barrett.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
1. Date provided by frank.
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