SD552. Angela Bayford to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 339–340 (in part).
[London]
May. 16. 1826–
My dearest Henrietta
As we have neither seen nor heard anything of you, I suppose you are by this time safely arrived at Hope End: and presuming this the case, I most sincerely congratulate you on being again united to your beloved family.
As to Ba, I hardly dare offer my congratulations to her, as excepting the pleasure she must undoubtedly derive from seeing those so dear to her, I doubt whether she is much charmed with the removal from a Town where she may have free, and continual access to a Library—and a Pastry-Cooks! I am also afraid, she will not relish the greek and latin lessons, which are again, I suppose to be under her control. But beg her to weigh against these disadvantages, the great delight of being able to regale at pleasure on the strawberries, and cherries, which will soon begin to ripen.
And now my dear Henrietta, I must thank you for your very nice letter, which I received some weeks ago, but which I have delayed answering, in hopes of seeing you in your way thro’ Town; as Mr Barrett whom we saw when he was in London, told us that was not impossible. But as this hope has not been realized, I judged it most expedient to write to Hope End.
We were very much surprised at your Papa’s informing us, that the Clarkes had taken a house at Malvern, as they had a short time before written to Mr Addams to take a house for them in London, but I suppose they changed their minds since then. I am very glad for your sake that they have determined to pay a visit to Malvern, as I am sure, it will give you very great pleasure, tho’ it deprives us of the gratification of seeing them.
I think I may give a favorable answer to your kind enquiries respecting our dear Mama’s health, I do really think she is upon the whole better, but still quite unfit for the slightest fatigue. She is at present suffering under the effects of a bad cold.
We were very sorry to hear of poor Bro’s indisposition but I hope the pure air of Hope End will perfectly restore him.
We sent a copy of Essay on Mind, to Papa who is still in the Netherlands, and he has lent it to my Uncle James, who thinks some parts of it most exquisite, and is astonished & delig<hted> with it <al>together, and he thinks a copy of it oug<ht> directly to be sent from the Author to each of the principal Reviews, and he has no doubt but the Quarterly will notice it. Papa highly approves of this plan, and begs that Ba will adopt it without loss of time.
Emily lent the Essay on Mind to John Cumberlige who read it attentively and returned it, marked in several places, but only once in disapprobation. At the corner of what page this ‘Qu’ is placed I dare not tell, and I fear even Emily will not venture without some encouragement from Ba.
Do not forget to give all manner of kind messages from us to the Clarkes, particularly to dear Emma. I think you cannot fail of liking her very much as she is a dear girl.
Loves and kisses to all the dear Children, particularly to our little favorite Sette. I hope Henry is a good boy, and that you have had no battles with him since your return. Write soon my dearest Henrietta, and give me a particular account of all your party. It is now just a year since our happy visit to your part of the world—how true it is that “we take no note of time but from its loss.” But it is now just past time so with love to your dear Mama
Believe me, my Henrietta’s
Most affectionte
Angela.
Address, on integral page: Miss Henrietta Barrett / Hope End / Near Ledbury / Herefordshire.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
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