SD701. Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother) to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 364 (in part).
63 Baker Str
[6] July [1829]
My dearest Henrietta
I really cannot express how hurt I am at your not writing; I have not had one single line from you since the 27th of April & now it is July; you have no excuse whatever as you have sent several parcels since & you could easily have found time to have written if it was only a line; I have written to you twice since & you have never taken any notice of it; I have just written these few lines, but I do as[s]ure you I never intended to write again, only I thought that you might never have recieved [sic] my letters; but I think that is almost impossible, I am going to give these to Dominick as I dare say he will go to day, he did intend to go yesterday but Papa, Mr Knowles & Dominick had an invitation to go on board Captain Selbys ship—they had a regular sailors dinner Irish beef & corn beef & bottled porter & Wine. Poor Dominick bears his lose [sic] very well—I am glad he is here as Papa keeps his spirits up, Poor James really was a dreadful lose [sic] to him, as I do not think he thought him in danger atall, he says he has a consolation in knowing that his mother bears it so well; I was at a dance at Mrs Dun[n]s when he died & Dominick was here just before; it was only the first eveng he had been away from James, he was as attentive as possible—I did not imagine he would make such a good nurse Papa said he was as good as an old woman. I really was disappointed when I heard you were not coming up as I really thought you would. Treppy told me the other day that I should be settled very soon, & as soon as I am settled I am to come down to you, just before I commence my work, I am in hopes it is with James but Papa has not given me the slightest hint of it, but I think he will tell me before he leaves town, at least I hope so, & that goes a great way towards it; do not mention this atall. I am very hard at work with mathematics &c; it is trememdously hard work. Mr Knowles dined here the day before yesterday, & he drank Tea here last night, he is very clever indeed he can talk on every subject, he did not go away till half past twelve; he never thinks of moving, & when he dined here he did not go away till near two in the morning[.] London is getting very thin families are going out of town every day, & on Monday I suppose we shall be pretty well cleared after the Hor[t]icultural society have had their breakfast. Treppy began to make preserve yesterday for the Strawberries are all in now, some sorts are going out; there is a great ab<und>anc<e> this year[.] I went yesterday to a garden to get some for Treppy & there were an immense number, Gooseberries & Cur[r]ants in abundance in fact all kinds of fruit.
I enclose a note for Georgy & one for Stormy as they did not forget me, although you did[.] Give my best love to all the little boys & girls & ever remember me as your affectionately
Attached
Sam.
I have just recieved [sic] your note & I am very angry to see that you think I am to blame for not writing when I wrote three letters without any answer, but I am glad to see that you blame yourself & that you were ashamed as that really is the only excuse you can have. Dominick leaves us tomorrow morning for Malvern he is gone today with Mr Knowles some where or other, he has been with him every day; I am glad to hear that Mrs Trant bears the loss so well, I really never expected she would. Papa was angry at your sending the letters in a parcel—it came to 4 Shillings & sixpence, & if you had sent them as double letters it would only have been three & 4 Pence[.] It is pouring of rain—it was <all> yesterday, & now it has begun today[.] I am afraid it will spoil the fruit. Betsey is particularly anxious to know how the apples get on[.] Mrs Bayford and Miss Bayford are just gone[.] Granny said they never looked better than they do now she had no news. Rebecca has sent you a Humming birds nest by Capt Selby but we have not yet seen it. Best love & let me again
sign myself as your affectionate
Sam.
I think Gran[n]ys Breathing is rather better. Mind & write regularly if not I declare I wont write.
Address, on integral page: Miss H Barrett / Hope End / Ledbury / Herefordshire / To the care of D Trant Esq.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
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