SD562. Mary Trepsack to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 340 (in part).
[London]
[ca. August 1826]
So you are not satisfied my Lady with the length of my Epistles; you ingrate, when I sent you all the news of our part of the world, I think I performed great things when I cou[l]d accomplish such an undertaking in the midst of being broil[e]d, & in one of the coolest houses in Hastings—poor Mrs Bloyden whenever we saw her appear[e]d always as if she had just come out of a Stew pan, yet she always declar[e]d that she bore hot weather uncommonly well, at the same time telling us she was in search of a fly, to walk was impossible, all this Inconsistency wd pass in the course of five minutes, we met them the Ev’g before we left there, in the same stew as ever, bearing heat well, Emily is gone for a fly, for really it is too warm to walk, I am extremely sorry at my disappointment this Mg, It was fully my intention to spend some hours with you, but some Letters which required dispatch kept me at home till very late– Mrs M—expressed how happy it wd have Made her had the call been made, hopes of that pleasure another time &c &c– Henrietta attacking me also with a few civil expressions, all this time Miss B. kept in the back ground, but on a Sudden, she seemed to arouse as from sleep, & advanc[e]d with her usual condescension to hope we were well, all this time, whilst |Canon| advanced with the fly, looking ashamed at us, & her lip puf[f]ed out, she has never forgiven Granny the rudeness of not ordering up some strawberries after telling that they were preserving below stairs– The offence was never to be forgotten and, as the poor little thing declared she had not tasted any, & they had been in, some time—we all parted with compts on both sides &c &c– Louisa has been at Brighton the last three or four weeks– I must not to forget to tender their best regards to all your party– Hastings is Miserably dull for those who are fond of society—the people complain of ruin—those at the Arcade benefit more than any—they all enquire often when our young Ladies are coming back—with all the dry weather which had almost as we thought destroy[e]d all vegetation, the Harvest I am told will be excellent in quality, nothing diminish[e]d in quantity– know you had a little of the Mania for farming, I made my last enquiry on my journey of the Crops in general, & was happy to find every one in good Spirits, the Hops had turn[e]d out well altho to me they did not appear very luxuriant, I never saw the Hay of a more beautiful colour—to me the Corn did not look well, but I was told there was very little to complain of—there were two fields magnificent– In short Kent & Sussex seem[e]d to feel the dry weather only thro’ their cattle, Milk & Butter began to be scarce articles, our Milk Man threatened to leave off Coming but a few light showers brought about vegetation surprisingly– They have taken advantage in London of the dry weather to advance the price in everything—& thieves think this an opportunity to plead want as an excuse for plunder—on friday last a man went to Ellis the Jeweller & looked at some spoons, which he agreed to purchase, told Ellis he shd have the Money immediately as he lived in the Neighbourhood—but if any one from the shop wd accompany him in the gig, they Might receive the Money from his hands on arriving at his house—all this appear[e]d so fair, that the young Man of the Shop mounted the gig with the gent, the latter holding the Spoons in his hands– They drove to the Temple, or rather to a Narrow St. leading to it—when the gent—got out, told the Boy to take care of the horse & gig till he return[e]d he was going to his Chambers for the Money with which he wd return immediately– The Boy remain[e]d where he was left, for five hours; half past 9-o clock at night came back to Ellis with the gig & horse in lieu of his Spoons—he has plac[e]d them at a livery stable, & advertis[e]d it—& has made known the circumstance to all those in the same line with himself, as a caution that they may avoid the like If tho they are applyd to in that way—he has also set all the Bow St officers on the Alert—& will have no hesitation in giving the Man a little lump if they catch him– At house at Hampstead the other day, the two sitting rooms were only divided by a narrow passage, the dining Table was laid & all the Company in the next room, a person came in, took every piece of plate that was in the parlour & walk[e]d off with it—the Master of the House heard him in the passage, but thought it was one of the Servants—you see people in the Country dont escape being plunder[e]d– I gave you my dear Addles all the little news of the Town, which is very empty as far as company or gaiety goes[.] You quite astonish me in expressing so much anxiety about a Certain little gentleman, who you know I vowed vengance against– I cannot account for it, but there is a something in his ugly face which disarms you the moment you see him, & sends anger flying from him– We sent for a place as soon as we got Ba’s Letter begging he might not be |kept|, at the same time was in hopes none wd be had– I know he is anxious, altho he appears perfectly contented, It certainly is more Natural that he shd prefer being with such a lovely | set| as you all are, than with us who have Nothing to amuse him with– Continue to write & let us hear all about yourself & party—& pray take care that you do not get one of the arrows in your Eyes[.] Your Neighbourhood must be really gay, pray who is at the head of all these gay doings? Granny sends you some Ribbons for the Archery Livery, but begs you will keep out of Mischief—Johnny Cakes Nor sleep shall ever have power to prevent my attending to the perusal of your Ladyships Letters whenever you please to honour me, Tell Mama with grannys Love Not to Mind addressing her particularly, as she is such a Lazy Correspondent, she is afraid your Mother wd be happy to give her up–
Sam is so fidgetty about my writing that for a little peace I must say good bye[.] I wish I could hear that poor Bro was quite well—give our Love to him[.] I am glad to hear you have been so fortunate in getting your habit well Made– It wd have been my fault otherwise, for delaying till it was too late to have it made here before you went away– If the Miss Moneys are amiable girls they will be quite an acquisition to your Neighbourhood– I agree with you that Ba has a sweet voice, If she wd only forget that any one was listening to her, but a little practice wd soon make her get the better of that Nervousness– See what it is to work hard my dear harry—by so doing you find the pleasure it has given to your father & Mother, for we have been delighted to hear they think you both very much improved in your Musick. I wish you were both here that you might have a few lessons whilst we remain– I shall not be surpised If I have at last to announce to you the approaching Nuptials of H & T God bless you my dear Addles
Your ever affecte T
The moment you read My Scrawl put it in the fire[.] Write as soon as you can to let us know of Sam’s safety[.]
Address, on integral page: Miss H Barrett.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
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