SD661. Angela Bayford to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 358 (in part).
To receive a speedy answer—Nathl Well’s Esqr
Piercefield near Chepstow.
July 1st 1828.
My dearest Henrietta,
I shall be much disappointed if you do not scream with astonishment when first your eye glances on the address at the head of this sheet, which I have taken pains to write i<n> as large & legible characters as possible. Taking it for granted, therefore, that my arrival in this part of the Country has not been announced to you already by any officious member of my family, and that you are dying with the curiosity natural to our frail sex, to know why & how I am now a resident at Piercefield, I shall proceed immediately to satisfy your anxious inquiries & to inform you of the reasons of my taking this unexpected trip into Monmouthshire.
You must know then, & I am sure you will be sorry when you do know, that for the last few months, I have been sensibly diminishing in bulk, my cheek has looked pale & unhealthy, & what was once ‘Je me flatte’, a very fine head of hair has gradually perished away, leaving only a few, weak, unbecoming locks, where once was a profusion of regular, (I think ugly!) grosses boucles. Nothing annoys Papa more than to see any of his “Lasses,” as he calls us, looking thin & sorrowful, and as my bad looks were accompanied with loss of appetite and general langour, he declared that change of air I wanted, and change of air I should by some means obtain.
Various plans were formed for removing me from Chelsea, but nothing was yet determined when meeting the Wells, at Mrs Owen’s they most kindly took compassion on me, and offered to take me down to Piercefield in their carriage, early in the following week. This most kind proposal was accepted with unfeigned gratitude, and delight; my trunk was hastily packed, and I conveyed away as fast as horses could carry me to this enchanting spot. I have been here about a fortnight, and intend staying here a fortnight more, or perhaps even longer if I am invited, & it seems altogether convenient and agreeable. I keep very regular hours, always in bed before eleven; I find this very easy to keep to, as I have no tiresome curls to put in paper, which obliges young Ladies in general to spend an hour in their own rooms after they have left the drawing room; as I have been obliged to cut off all my hair both back and front, & supply its placed by a peruke of Finefits, which needs not the aid of paper, or curling irons to preserve its form. I take (don’t be shocked!) ale every day, and as much fresh air as the heights of Piercefield afford, and I feel & think I look better–
My dearest Henrietta,
I am positively ashamed on reading the former part of this letter, to find that my sweet self has been the only heroine in the first sheet. Pray forgive my egotism, and believe me, when I say how anxious I am to hear from you, more favorable accounts of your dearest Mama. This last news that has reached me came round by Ireland, and I long to hear a confirmation from you, of the report that dear Mrs Barrett is decidedly getting better and stronger. You will greatly oblige me, dearest Henrietta, if you will write me a few lines during my stay here, to inform me of the real state of the case. You cannot think what delight it gives me to receive letters now I am away from those I most love. I am quite wild with joy, when I hear from my beloved ho<me.> I quite devour all the letters I receive. I must take this opportunity of telling you how delighted I am with Sam, who is, I know, a great pet of yours. He is surprisingly improved in looks, grown so tall, and I declare, positively handsome. You may tell him how much we are all struck with his good looks, but don’t make him blush in too distressing a degree.
I have written you a most stupid letter, but pray understand that my principle end in writing to you is to induce you to send me one of your dear letters in return, & That with the greatest dispatch, ere I have taken wing for home.
May the God of all comfort & consolation be with you and all your dear party, & restore yr belove[d] Invalid to the anxious prayers and wishes of all her friends & family.
Believe me
Ever your most affectionte
Angela
I have written the whole of this letter standing up, before a chest of drawers, on which I have been obliged to place my writing utensils not being supplied with that useful article a table in my room, & not quite liking to write in the drawing room where all the family are assembled. This must account for the conciseness & stupidity of this epistle– The bad writing also may be attributed to the same cause–
Address, on integral page: Miss Henrietta Barrett / Hope-End / near Ledbury / Herefordshire.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
___________________
