SD733. Arabella Graham-Clarke (aunt) to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 368 (in part).
Fenham
[14] Decmr [1830] [1]
My sweetest Henrietta.
I meant to have written to you during my visit to Jane last week but something either to do or say deferred this good intention so often, that I found the time arrive for my return home ere I had the opportunity of beginning my letter to you. I am now however pinned to my chair till it be completed as I intend it shall accompany me to Mrs Hedley’s where I am going to dine today from whence it is to be forwarded in a frank, to you which greatly adds to my comfort in writing to you, as My brain seems as dull and stupid as the weather, and not one of my ideas worth [illegible word]. My best news is that relating to the improved health of our dearest Charlotte from whom I had a long and cheerful letter two days since I fear not withstanding the increase of strength her limbs still refuse to do their duty, as she has not yet the power of using her legs nor does she yet make any attempt to walk, this is a sad draw back but I trust the Lord will in time relieve us of this anxiety & enable her to enjoy the many blessings that surround her. She is gratified & delighted my kind Henrietta by your attention in writing to her & tells me of the long and entertaining letter she had from you a few days before she wrote to me. I have this Morning dispatched her a little box containing some odds & ends that I hope may contribute to her amusement whilst she be confined to her sofa. I spent ten days at Bradley, I need not tell you I enjoyed my visit to Jane tho the rain was almost incessant Night and day. so that we Could not enjoy the many pretty walks that surround the Place. poor Jane too is not at present in a walking plight, she is however tolerably well. & in very good spirits, & is now staying in Newcastle with Mrs Hedley till next week & intends to spend her christmas at Mr Cuthberts’. who has also asked James & myself to meet her, but I am not quite sure that we shall partake of his christmas pie. Were you not all surprised to hear of the sudden change that took place in the Ballin Temple family. I believed them to be settled in London when I received a letter to say they were satisfactorily placed in Dublin, I had neither heard nor had any suspicion of Fanny’s expected confinement therefore every part of the news startled me but perhaps it is wisely arranged as the London plan must have proved much more expensive, & attended by many inconveniences that Dublin will obviate. from all accounts their house is filled all day by Masters from every country & I hope the great Anxiety to have the poor Children accomplished will not deprive them of the essential requisites of Air and exercise. There is not now the smallest chance of their coming to England so that before Lotte comes I promise myself the unalterable satisfaction of having a peep at you in the Spring. When I know & feel that you will be as happy to see me, as I shall be to embrace all your beloved circle again– What does your dear Papa think of My Lord Brougham and the new Members. I wish Sir James Scarlet had been made chancellor as he could not have done otherwise than have given my dearest Bro a part of the loaves & fishes but all things are wisely arranged and perhaps a share may still be in |petto| for him. Dr Philpots proceedings seem the fashionable converse here, tho’ he has scarce a friend to take his part. A wit observed to James the other day how that he drove in a Bishop’s Coach he should give up the Stanhope! I think when the Wea<ther> leaps the bar of christmas my Friend Miss <Uniacke> will take her departure from Fenham. her Sisters are already anxious for her return to Ireland, and before she proceeds there, she has promised to pay a visit to a relation in the County of Durham, & also to her Aunt Mrs Clements in Yorkshire. I fear she has had a very dull visit & will not form a very good opinion of the North of England; I think you would like her very much, she being well informed and sensible. Has Ba read the last work of Sir Humphrey Davey “Consolation in travail.” It is philosophical and I think would amuse her, tell her I met with a Gentleman who accidentally mentioned her dear Mr Boyd’s Father with whom he was very intimate & spoke of him as the choicest & most agreeable Man he ever met & gave him the full credit of being the Author of Junius’s letters. how I long to know what you have been doing since you wrote to me. Whether Ba has had further change of Malvern Air, or whether you all have “darkened” Mrs Trant’s door? has she lately “been so happy” to see her dearest Ba Henr & Arabell?” or do you live in ignorance of her movements?
I hope you have good accounts of dear Mrs Moulton, tho’ I fear this unhealthy weather is very unfavorable for her recovery pray mention her when you write & give her my affectionate love[.] tell Minny with my kindest regards Lawson & I often talk of her. I believe she will receive very soon from London a small pot of ointment, which I much wish she would apply to her leg. I heard an account of it from Mrs Surtees who by recommending it has quite cured her Aunt who for years suffered exactly in the same way as Minny, & her leg is now strong & free from any disease. The remedy is very simple & not attended with any trouble. I desired Mrs Surtees to send a jar of it to Mrs Moulton’s to be forwarded to Hope End the first opportunity. I will ask Ba if she has the Book Dr Ramsay lent her some time since to read. Forsyth’s. Dr R. requests to have it, therefore I wish her to send it here as soon as she can as Dr R has a great value for it. I thought James brought it back, but I find he did not. Now dont forget this. Give my affectionate love to your dear Papa My beloved Ba Bro Arabel & your precious little tribe & believe me my sweetest Henrietta
Your Affectionately attached
Bummy
James’s kind love. Remember me to Mrs Martin, Mrs Griffith &c–
Addressed and franked on integral page: London December fourteen 1830 / Miss H. Barrett / Hope End / Ledbury / Matt Bell.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
1. Day and year provided by postmark.
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