SD732. Arabella Graham-Clarke (aunt) to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 368 (in part).
Appleton Hall
Tuesday Sept 21st [1830] [1]
My beloved Henrietta
I have thanks to the Lord escaped the perils of the deep & have once more placed my foot in Old England where I feel myself to be so near your beloved |Smile| that I can be within your reach at any time you want me. This is a happy feeling my sweet Henrietta that seems to cheer me, whilst I dread remembering the trial that is awaiting me in returning to Fenham. Before I give a detail of my voyage & journey I must write on the subject of your last dear letter which gratified me more than I can express because it convinced me of your affection & how much you think of me. I only wish your plan could have been put into execution. I wrote immediately to your Papa, & put my petition in as strong terms as I thought right to do. His answer was most kind & most reasonable but putting a negative on my Wishes by proving to me how very essential you are to his comfort at home. So essential both in domestic arrangements & in Amusements that he could not spare you. As I know my sweet Henrietta his happiness is your first object this reason will be all sufficient & will make his denial cease to be a disappointment as I was sure contributing to his comfort will give you more permanent & solid emjoyment than being with me could afford you. And I shall live on the hope that some time or other the gratification of having you will be bestowed on me. I requested he would let you know his determination therefore I hope you have not been kept in suspense since I received your letter. I had a sad parting with poor Charlotte whom I left last Tuesday. Had not the Season been so far advanced I would gladly have remained with her until she had left her room or I may say left her Sofa, but Dr Stone assured me she had only to regain her strength which he trusted would soon return by gentle exercise in a carriage. therefore James’s impatience & my own fears of the Sea made me determine to take my departure. I spent Wednesday in Dublin with Mrs Low & sailed on Thursday Evng to Liverpool. I am told the passage was a good one, excepting for four or five hours when the wind & Sea were tremendous. I put my trust in Him who alone could calm both & remained as quiet as I could (tho’ my ears that were alive all night to every noise) were assailed by the question of a Gentleman to the Steward, “is there danger.” We reached Liverpool about 7 O’Clock in the Mong. after being on the sea between 14 & 15 hours. We found Liverpool in such dismay & confusion that we could not for some time even get a bed room & at last were put into a filthy hole at the top of the house. where we waited at least two hours before we could have an apartment for breakfast. Mr Hushisson’s melancholy death had put an end to all the arrangements & entertainments for the Duke of W. who was to have been present at a grand dinner & Ball to have been given that day, and consequently every nook & corner in the Hotel was engaged. before I left Ireland I received so pressing an invitation from Mrs Lyon to pay her a visit on my direct road to Manchester, that I could not resist therefore after my dirty breakfast in Liverpool I proceeded here. Appleton Hall which tho’ it has not the beauty of Hope End is a sweet Place & a delightful house. Mr Lyon was a stranger to me but pleases me much being very quiet & gentlemanly with much kindness of manner & dotingly fond of his Children. Mrs Lyon is only recovering from her confinement, is very agreeable & truly glad to see me. You will be surprised when I tell you I have brought a companion with me from Ireland—a Miss Uniacke who is kind enough to pay me a little visit. She is not very young but very amiable, well educated & sensible, & seems charmed to be in England where she has not been for years. I hope James will like her & that she will prove to me an agreeable companion for a little time[.] She is of very good Family & knows a great many Friends in this Country– The unfortunate capes & Marmalade I hope you have at last received—I say unfortunate as Lady Hariot Kavanagh being in London until the Election prevented the Capes being finished. I send ten but one will not injure by keeping & may be useful—tell your papa with my kind love I have included his head in the number as I thought he would find a cape useful & becoming—he, Bro, & Sam must take their choice of shape & the dear Boys must have according to size. I had twelve pots of Marmalade made but on packing it I found they required so large a box & was so heavy we thought it prudent on consulting wise heads to despatch half the quantity this I was going to do as your party is so large but I reconciled my self to leaving 6 pots behind by the power of sending more from Fenham[.] When you want it the Marmalade is Ba’s with my love. Fanny has sent yr Papa some snuff & yourself & Ba each a dress & a scarf to Arabell with her affectionate regards. I hope the Box will reach you in Safety as Gent took it to the office & it was to sail to Bristol last Saturday. I wish I cd have paid the carriage from thence to Hope End but I could not learn the expense which I trust will not be Much. enquire for it dear Harry & tell me if any of the pots were broken. I set off to<morro>w for Fenham– I feel that I shall never be happy at Fenham & I dread My feelings on returning there but the Lord directs all things & submission to His Will will support me. Let me have a cheerful letter from some of you. I have not time to add More as I have been [illegible word] time absent from the Library[.] My affectionate love to my Ba Arabel & Yr beloved Circle.
Ever my sweetest Henrietta
Your attached Bummy
I hope the Magazines are right
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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