SD700. Mary Trepsack to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 363–364 (in part).
[London]
[6 July 1829]
It certainly is an age my dear Addles since I had the pleasure of scrib[b]ling to you, but my stupid brain cou[l]d not find anything worth writing about, & your father always appeard a regular cor[r]espondent & wd of course give you the little news stirring. To hear from him you required no other– We are thankful to hear you are all going on well, & no less so to tell you that Granny is gradually improving– your father & Sam in good health– Capt Selby give[s] a more favorable account of Sam, they were on the Wing for Milk River—poor Mary he says was very thin—she no doubt has undergone much anxiety on Sams protracted Illness– I shd think If he can arrange his business for an Agent, he will come to England next year—but we are poor Mortals, who know not what another year may bring forth—little did we imagine that poor dear James Trant wd thus early be laid in the silent Tomb– Never was there a finer youth—no ones enemy—Kind, good hearted to all, I saw him a day or two after his arrival, his spirits as high as ever,—but alas disease long mistaken, was fast hastening him to a better World—where I hope he is now happy– It is kind of our dear Ba to go & comfort the afflicted, It is a severe loss to his parents—D—I think has lost his very best friend & adviser, he bears his Misfortune well—he is gone to spend this day with Mr Knowles at Richmond, & talks of leaving London for Malvern Tomorrow, he was an excellent Nurse to poor James– William shew[e]d himself an attached Servant, deserving of the future Kindness of Mrs T—& her Sons—what a mixed state of Misery & happiness is this Life, whilst some are labouring under the heaviest affliction, others are rejoicing—one of Sir John Hamiltons Daughters was married this Mng—the second Wedding within two doors of each other, & opposite to us, within a fortnight– I suppose the Bayfords gave you a full description of the Wedding at their house, Mrs B & the third daughter were here this Mng– Granny says the former is looking as well as ever she saw her, & delighted at the Match– I was in hopes my dear Addles that you & Ba wd have come up with Bummy—once up, to have spent som[e]time with us, however we cannot always have what we wish, & all things we hope happen for the best—very often what gives pleasure to one party—causes Misery to others– The Bride has been rather Indisposed with a Cold—poor Mrs Stirling we heard yesterday has again been very unwell. I hope her complaint is fully understood by Mr Whitlaw who she places the greatest confidence in—her Sisters Inlaw are very clever, sensible well informed Women, & are extremely attentive to her–
If Mrs Erskine & Ba were acquainted, they wd become Correspondents directly– My dear Addles I hope you dont let dear Ba Study too much– I know if she is left to her own discretion in regard, to exercise, for health, little wd be done in that way,—she is too valuable to be allowd to think for herself on that subject– Mr Knowles has formed the resolution of not devoting so much of this time in future to study as he has hitherto done, he finds its sad Injury to his health, & seems to have much fellow feeling for Ba on that point—as much as great admiration for her wonderful Talents—he spoke in the highest terms of her—he is a mere Shadow, as thin as a human being can be—& imputes it chiefly to Study– This you may suppose Granny listend to very seriously, & as seriously bewaild her own Child having the same term– I hope she will in future consider the anxiety of her friends & be more in the open air—she is a dear pet–
Give my best Love to dear Arabel & thanks for her very kind Letter, she shall hear from me one of these odd days– I began to think she had quite forgotten me– I hope good Minny continues in health, our remembrance to her– Tell our dear Bro how happy we feel to hear he is such a Treasure in his family– His father gives him the highest Character—our very best Love to him & the dear young tribe–
You are determind my dear Addles not to name what we can do for you here—that is, all you big ones—now I am desired by a high authority to say, that the little wants of the young ones may be considerd, & made known at Head quarters, otherwise you will subject yourself to severe dis[c]ipline—which I warn you to avoid[.] Give our very best Love to dear Bummy & tell her—Madame |Capemans’s| Bonnets, in form—are much the same as when she was in Town, only not so large—for second mourning white Crape & Grey gauze Ribbons, Grey Crape with ditto—or if a heavier Bonnet is wanted, grey Grosdenaple with gown Ribbons—they are all, with or without flowers 2.15.0 Handsome scarves—10– They are most fashionable–
Pray let us know what you—Ba, & Arabel want in these or any other articles—& alto Bro cannot wear Caps & Bonnets, he may have a Wish for something wearable from London, I wait your Command to execute all your wishes– In the mean I remain yr
Affectionate T
Love from all to all
Address, on integral page: Miss H. Barrett / favord by / D– Trant Esqr
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
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