SD730. Arabella Graham-Clarke (aunt) to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 368 (in part).
Garryhundon
Friday August 5th [sic, for 6] [1830] [1]
My dearest Henrietta
You cannot think how pleased & gratified poor Charlotte was by your kind remembrance of her at this time. Your letter indeed was a treat to her as well as myself and she desires me to tell you that had she the power of writing, her own pen would have conveyed her thanks. As it is, mine must do so for her, tho’ it will be very deficient in expressing all she feels for you– I wish I had the satisfaction of making a very favorable report of her, she has not had any drawback since I wrote, but I do not perceive any Amendment, as a relief to her, Doctor Stone gave her permission to be removed from her bed to the Sofa yesterday, but not to be dressed & this change only to be made if the day were very fine[.] It proved however so cold & wet, that we dare<d> not make the experiment and I do not think this day is fit for it. The tidings I gave you some little time since of her expected confinement, is now proved to have been without any foundation, all concerning symptoms induced us & herself to believe it was the case, this illness however has opened our eyes to the real situation, and I cannot help feeling very anxious and uneasy about her, until I have proof of a more evident & rapid recovery. Doctor Stone sees her every day, & seems satisfied that no less favorable symptom has appeared since the last visit. I shall be much happier about her when she leaves her bed, as her appetite will then improve & there will be of course a much better chance of her regaining her strength. I am sorry to write to you in such a dull uneasy strain, but I feel worried on Lotte’s account, & on having all my plans so completely deranged[—]so deranged my beloved Henrietta that I know not how I am to trespass on poor James’s patience by taking a peep at you, whenever I have my liberty to leave dear Charlotte, he writes so urgently that I am rather of opinion it will be best for me to go direct to the North to him for a little, (unless some of you will accompany me home) and then proceed to you as soon as I can. The difference of the journey is not worth considering, and were I to come to you on my way I could only stay a day or two, whereas had I been with James for a short period I should then feel myself at liberty to stay with you comfortably. This is the plan (as circumstances have thus turned out) that strikes me to be the wisest, but even this I could not now decide on with certainty, as in poor Charlotte’s present state, it is quite impossible for me to leave her. this illness appears to me very unfortunate but the Lord afflicts her for some wise purpose, & I do not murmur at His dispensations. how surprised you must have been to see Mr Owen I was amused at his observations on Emily’s affairs. I wish he had seen the intended Bridegroom, from whom not one of his Brothers has heard since he left Ireland. he waits I suppose to send them the good tiding[s] either of the promotion or having employment– Emily certainly has carried her point from the first & I trust the happiness she expects will be realized[.] Fanny & all the Children except Richard & Tom took their flight to the Sea last Tuesday. The weather Since has been very bad, but she is pleased & satisfied with her new house. Sir T. is here for the Election on Monda<y> & will not join his family till it be over; I confess I rather dread it, as the new Candidate stands on the papist interest, & consequently the Priests will oblige the Catholic voters to vote against their Land lords. So far the Country is tolerably quiet, & I trust it will continue so. Butler nominated Mr Kavanagh and supports him & Mr Rockfort, turning his back on Capt Bruen to whom he has hitherto given his interest. Emma & Capt Butler have at last got into their new House & have asked Richard & Butler to dine with them today which they accept. I had a long letter from Jane this week, her house has been filled with company lately, & they go [to] a very large party today to Alnwick to attend the Northumberland Election. Tell my beloved Octavious [sic] I am so much obliged to him for picking up the peacocks’ feathers for me. if he will take care of them for a little time I will come to claim them. Sweet fellow how I wish I could give him a kiss & all of you. I fear poor Charlotte expects me in her room, therefore I must conclude this short letter. Let me have a cheerful tiding from some of you soon & tell dear Mrs Martin with my love I do hope I shall catch her in the North on her return from Scotland—if you write to Jane do not mention Charlottes illness. She knows it but I am fearful anything you may say from this account might add to her uneasiness. Give my best & kindest love to yr papa & with loves and kisses to my beloved Ba Arabel &c—believe Me My Sweet Henrietta
yr fondly attached
Bummy–
Witherington has just told me that Charlotte is on the sofa & waits to see me. She makes me happy by telling me She thinks her in every respect better this Morng– I will write to you again in a few days. when you write to me do not say much about her illness–
Address, on integral page: Miss Henrietta Barrett / Hope End / Nr. Ledbury / Herefordshire.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
1. This letter is postmarked 7 August 1830, a Saturday.
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