SD572. Mary Trepsack to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 343 (in part).
[Hastings]
[Postmark: 25 December 1826]
Your Letter of Wednesday my dear Addles gave us great pleasure, not only on account of the dear wishes, but the pleasing Intelligence it contain[e]d of the health & happiness of all around you, & we feel doubly gratified at the politeness of Mr Frost towards your Nose, I trust he will ever continue to respect that pretty Member so Necessary to a Ladys good looks– I am sorry my dear Ad that you shd think of putting off your Theatricals till Spring—you may not have at that time so many of your performers near at hand to call upon, & as all things rest on uncertainty, I wd advise you not to forego any of your Xmas gambols but to enjoy the present season as it affords leaving th<e> Spring to bring its own pleasures, which I most fervently hope may be many & lasting to you, & all thereto belonging—& again what a sad disappointment it wd be to your little pet, very uncivil indeed, & rather disrespectful to a young Gentleman of his refined Taste, I assure you I am sadly griev[e]d at the very Idea of his loseing one jot of his usual pastime—he is a precious Boy & deserving of all you can do for him—give him our very best love, & many thanks for his few lines, how delighted he must be in having the two Little Brothers as companions, I trust one of these days I shall be able to judge for myself how far you are right in your opinion of their respective beauty– We were not at all aware that the two Boys were in England—had I known it when I was in London I certainly wd have gone to see them– Granny is much pleas[e]d to hear of the improvement in Mr C’s health, & seems to have no fears of a Certain friend, deeming her too well pleas[e]d with her old beaux to think of any others—darling Girl give him our best affections & say I wd not interrupt his more pleasing avocations by any of my scrawls, not having anything to communicate which cou[l]d in any way compensate for such loss of time, his Letters are always precious to us, & we look for them often, thanks innumerable for his last—also to dear Mama whose Epistles are ever most welcome– It does us good to hear of your gaiety, Sam & Mary has also been attending Balls & parties at Caen, It shows much improvement in health, & I trust when they return we shall see them quite blooming– I wish Bro cou[l]d join them at Caen, It wd be a very great advantage to him were it only for a short time—his health wd benefit in the first place <&> a more extensive society wd give polish to his Manners– This time last year my dearest Addles we were happy in the society of our now absent favorites, we miss you all very much– The Blaydes enquire constantly after you all, they have been very attentive, coming frequently to see us, Mr B. is as spruce as usual—he is just returned from Brighton which he says is very gay, & full of company—he counted seventy families of distinction already arrived—his family look to that place with a wishful Eye, but the higher power says Nay– Wheelbarrow amused me much the other day, her second visit, after looking about the room, she said with a sigh—wd you believe I have not tasted plum Cake since I had some here before you went to London– I was quite sorry that we could not indulge her with some, as we have not had any made since you went away, we have however made one against her next visit: tell ba not to frown– There was a Ball at the Swan on Thursday, 150 were there—where the people came from I am puzzled to find out; The Tradspeople complain that Trade is quite at a stand, The arcade the picture of Melancholy—poor Pettitt has not only the affliction of loseing his wife but has stood every day for the last six weeks behind his Counter without selling the smallest article– Indeed the only four occupiers in that place are much in the same way, & without the means of improving their Situation by going elsewhere–
Mrs Hewitt is almost broken hearted at the Idea of spending Xmas without you, she names you both every time we see her– I am afraid the late revealer of destiny will for once be out in her Calculations– The fates seem averse to realize the promised union– William is expected in the next Packet– It is said his destination is College—but how he is to get in (without being smuggled as his Tutor told him) I <can’t> imagine—by his own account he <is> flush of money– If this is the case, good bye study–
I am glad to hear poor Maria is coming down amongst you, she is not so blest as you all are with a kind father & mother– I hope Mrs Trant will keep her for some time at least—let us know what you all think of her—remember us to all that family–
I have never told you how gay we found our house here on our return—our dumpling Landlady said she meant to surprise us by making everything as smart as possible– To be sure we were dazzled– In first place, the drawing room is painted Salmon Colour—a deeper border of a darker shade with a narrow beading round of blue—with far stretching Convolvolists in each corner with a most beautiful deep yellow <…> bell ropes, printed Curtains lined with pink—green venetian blinds– New Curtains in all the bed rooms, & all the floors covered with drugget—but the gayest of all which I am [sure] you wd have copied if you were here—are the smart window blinds, our room is the Palace of the Ceasars [sic]—the others I have not found out, but altogether we are as smart as variety can make us–
Granny says you must have Bro measured that she may know his height, Dominic says they are the same height & if he is that amazing May pole, Granny with her love begs he will leave off saying Pappa & Mama—give our best love to all your Circle, wishing you all a Merry Xmas & many many happy happy returns of New Years &c—I hope our best thanks were given to all the young fry for all their dear letters– God bless <you d>earest Addles
<your affect>te Granny & Treppy
excuse blunders, 7 oclock
Address, on integral page: Miss H Barrett / Hope End / Ledbury / Herefordshire.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
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