SD694. Edward Moulton-Barrett (father) to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 362–363 (in part).
London
April 18. 1829
My dearest Daddles
This morning your anxieties I trust will have been in some measure allayed by the contents of Trepsack’s Letter– Your disappointment for so many days arose from the number of Correspondents here, who conjecturing each to have written, were surprised to find by my dearest Ba’s letter that no account of our dear Invalid had been sent at all– I assure you we all regret very much the circumstance, and promise by a better understanding of each others intentions that a more regular Bulletin shall be forwarded in future– Trepsack will have communicated to you more particularly the improved state of my beloved Mother, I have only to add that since yesterday she had a good night, the cough is not more violent than I have known it for years & that the expectoration is of a more healthy character as well as less of it; her weakness is however very great, which I am not much surprised at, as from the exciting cause she has been subjected to for the last three weeks in the high fever that has preyed on her, she is now, in its happy removal, made very sensible of her extreme weakness, and hence can hardly be very sensible of her improvement– Dr Nuttall has just been here & expressed himself much satisfied with the amended symptoms– Thus it appears God has blessed the means adopted, and we must leave to him the issue of this as of all other things; we know in whom we trust & we believe that He will keep that which is committed unto him; consequently we cast our woes upon him who careth for us and if we have not perfect rest & peace for ourselves & for those near & dearer to us than ourselves, it is because there is a want of faith, a want of assurance & reliance on his promises who has declared that not a hair of our heads can fall without his divine permission– May God grant that You all as well as myself may day by day learn more & more to think less of self, & strive to obtain that holy Spirit of Christ which enabled him in his agony to exclaim, “Father not my will but thine be done“—& so we shall be taught of God & see the insufficiency of all things here, but as preparing us for our eternal abode– Our dear Ba has well said that we cannot express by word or deed what we owe our beloved Bell for her affection towards you all and I am assured this additional proof of her love was not wanting to satisfy us of her real love & anxiety for you; May God bless her for it as well as for every kindness she has evinced to you all– Tell Georgey that I am not half pleased at his conduct in going out with the hounds, but I shall say no more if he will in future take care & not exert himself too much– Trepsack has heard to-day from Sam, who was very much improved in health– If there are any Letters for me make a parcel of them & sent [sic] them me– I hope my dear Pets are doing well in body & mind, tell them I think of them continually & that every blessing may attend them here & hereafter is my Constant prayer– Good bye My dearest Daddles from your very affectionately
E M Barrett
<I’v>e enclosed £50 for Bro to apply as I told him before being home. Let me [know] the exact weight of the [illegible word] & if the Ash is sold.
Address, on integral page: Miss H. Barrett / Hope-End / Ledbury / Herefordshire.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
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