SD723. Arabella Graham-Clarke (aunt) to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 367 (in part).
Garryhundon
Monday May 24th [1830] [1]
My beloved Henrietta. As my patience has not been rewarded by a letter from one of you, I can no longer delay the pleasure of writing to you, as by so doing the Sea Seems to me to be dried up & the miles that now Separate us Much diminished in number. I earnestly wish the former could be so as each day makes me dread more & more its billows the period for my trusting myself to them now approaching so fast—this period I know must bring with it many painful feelings as when I part with my Sisters I know not when it may please the Lord again to unite us but He only can arrange all things well for us in this life and my trust is in Him– Charlotte does not return with me to England, the decision has cost her some struggles as poor dear her kind heart was on many accounts anxious to accompany me, but leaving her husband & home for so many months, at last became so serious a consideration she felt aware that under such circumstances she should not be happy to pay us a visit at this time. Richard too did not seem to like the separation, I therefore could not argue against such reasoning & I try to reconcile myself to the disappointment by thinking of their promise to come as soon as their callings at home will let them– I know not what to say with regard to making an arrangement with my last resource as a fellow traveller in the size and form of Emily Bayford for whom I rather suspect this Island has Since her visit to Ballin Temple produced so strong an attraction, that I fear an offer of a conveyance to England, is not the sort of offer she would like to accept– Could I transport myself into my sweet Ba’s sanctum for a few hours how I would make you all laugh at the account I have to give you. My stupid pen will not do justice to all parts of the drama, & tho’ the plot be not yet quite discovered, enough is already known to allow me to give a shrewd guess to how it may end—the fair Songstress has had a deep wound from Cupid’s bow & she has nearly, if not quite lost her heart to Charles Butler, who is equally willing to exchange his—he has been staying with her at BT. ever since her arrival there till yesterday when he came here whilst we were in the middle of dinner bringing me a note from Fanny saying she was glad he had taken his departure as the flirtation was most decided & serious and that Emily was making a very visible attack on him the attack is however well received & tho’ from his fits of deep thought last night; Sighs & evident confusion of manner it may be at present hard to bear, I think by perservering the wounds may very soon be healed. In the way most desired– She certainly gave him from the first every hope, giving vent to her uncalled for intentions, the first day at dinner by saying, she was determined to marry either a Soldier or a Sailor, that she should like to be seated on the top of a baggage cart & her husband marching by its side, adding that she would not for the world marry a clergyman. Charles B. cannot certainly boast of a red coat, but as he has proved himself worthy of his blue, I dare say the profession of the Navy will be equally acceptable. I rather think Emily will be here this week when my eyes & ears shall be open to all proceedings, & you shall have a further account, but do not mention it as should it reach Chelsea, it might occasion great alarm & surprize, & in its present state it would not be right that it should transpire– She makes herself out to be a great Phrenologist & Mineralogist & has had a rubbing & survey of Mr Dawson’s head, which discovered many of his faults of character. She picks up all the stones on the road as wonderful specimens some of which she declares from Certain signs to have been before the flood—& her love for Calves Rabbits Cats & all animals is quite absurd. She is charmed with everything, & still more with an Invitation Fanny has given her to stay with her, till she goes to the Sea in August. She has not however had an answer from Chelsea, and the arrangement remains doubtful and without this flirtation makes a rapid progress I think I might succeed in asking her to go with me. Fanny surprised me yesterday by sending her carriage for me in order that I might join a musical party she has this day. Consisting of Lord Mountnorris & Mr & Mrs Cholmondley, it was however obliged to return without me, as Charlotte has also Mr Faulkner & his party from Castle Town to dine here to day & as I am also engaged to dine to Mr F’s tomorrow, I could not obey Fan<n>y’s Summons. I have promised to go t<o> Ballin <Tem>ple the end of this week, Should Fann<y> & Emily not be inclined to accept Charlottes invita<tion> to come here on Wednesday, during Sir Thomas’s visit to Dublin who goes there either tomorrow, or the next day. I shall regret this time more than ever leaving Garryhundon, as I can only return for a day to pack a part of my goods left here. I have been disappointed many days in a letter from James, as I begged he would write & tell me whether he really meant to return with John to yr County in which case I told him I could easily join him there. Until I hear from him I dare not trust my pen on the subject therefore I will not say anything about it till my next letter. I have promised him I shall leave Ireland the first week in June & I mean to adhere to it as near as I can, but there seems some Circumstance or other to prevent me forming any Certain plan—this is an unusually gay week dining out twice & having a party at home. Which prevent me going to Ballin Temple this week. We had a very pleasant dinner yesterday at Mr Falkner’s tho’ not anything extraordinary occurred to amuse you. tomorrow we dine at Mr French’s a pleasant family, who reside about five miles from hence– When I look at these trees how often often my beloved Henrietta do I think of your lovely woods & scenery all of which I am sure are in perfection. I hope you take sufficient exercise but not too much & that my sweetest Ba now toddles farther than Mrs Barkers. Dearest Arabel is I am sure always your Companion in yr rambles. When her shoes will allow her– When did you hear last from yr dear papa or have you by a more indirect Channel had any cheering acounts of the West Indies. Do tell me if you have as you know how my heart is interested in everything Concerning you– This scrawl is like all my others, very dull do excuse them– I am so provoked about the dear Boys Capes half of the number I ordered are so small I am obliged to return them to Lady Harriet Navanagh—as soon as I receive others a larger size I will send them with the marmalade which has been made ages–
Charlotte desires her affectionate love with mine to your precious & beloved Circle & ever dearest Henrietta
Believe me yr fondly attached Bummy–
Do tell me if poor Miss P. Biddulph is better & thank dearest Arabel for her dear, kind, & entertaining letter.
Love to Minny. Remember me to Mrs Barker & at the Bartons if you like.
Address, on integral page: Miss Henrietta Barrett / Hope End / nr Ledbury / Herefordshire.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
1. Year provided by postmark.
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