SD740. Arabella Graham-Clarke (aunt) to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 371–372 (in part).
Fenham
Friday April 8th [1831]
My beloved Henrietta
I received your letter yesterday, and I am only sorry I have to wait for a frank tomorrow, as I wish by return of post that my actions should move my often repeated assertion, that to be of use to any of you so tenderly loved by me, is the chief happiness of my life; and my sincere & most earnest desire is my sweetest Henrietta to compensate (tho’ alas! how vainly) as far as my humble power may extend, for the loss of your blessed Mother, therefore you cannot gratify me more, than by giving me on all occasions an opportunity of exciting my interest in all your little dilemmas or pleasures. Tho’ I was far from being in a merry mood when your letter reached me, I could not refrain from Smiling on reading all your doubts & fears respecting your arrangement of poor Sam’s affair. I do not think My Lord Brougham could have managed the case better, tho’ I think your client deserves a rub, for disobeying orders. Believe me my dearest Henrietta I have the greatest pleasure in sending you the inclosed [sic] note which I think will relieve you from every anxiety on Sam’s score, & after the national debt is paid to dear Minny, You must divide the overplus amongst you big ones…if dearest Bro will not be offended at so small a share, & say no more about it– Perhaps you have received direct from Ireland the melancholy tiding which indeed has given my nerves such a shock—I have scarcely known what I have been doing since, the appalling event that took place on Good Friday at Ballin Temple in the death of sweet little Johnny by a gun going off in Tom’s hand accidentally—the 3 Boys were in the Garden where they found on one of the Seats the gamekeeper’s Gun, which Tom carelessly took up to shew his Brothers some exercise he had seen some soldiers perform in Dublin, it went off & the contents were lodged in Johnny’s stomach. The poor little sufferer lingered scarcely an hour, and expired before any Medical assistance reached him. Richard was obliged to give evidence at the Inquest & was so dreadfully affected, that it was almost more than he could go thro’. Tom could not appear their Father fortunately was at home intending to take them all the following day to Dublin, he immediately set off to Fanny to break the heart rending circumstance to her. Mr Carpenter (the Tutor) was absent for the day, & did not return home for many hours after the awful circumstance had taken place. This is indeed a grievous & great trial for poor Fanny & Sir T. & would be insupportable did it only appear to their human Sight as accidental but I pray that their Faith that every event is directed by the Mighty power & Wisdom of the Lord will give them resignation, & assurance that this beloved Child tho’ snatched from them by means most agonising [sic] is thus called hence for some wise purpose that will ultimately shew forth the Glory of the Lord. My anxiety is great to hear of both Fanny & Charlotte. The former being near her confinement adds much to my distress, & dear Charlotte is still in so weak a state & was so attached to the departed Angel, that I shall be very uneasy until I hear– This is an awful warning to your beloved Brothers, & I trust dearest Bro will be more than ever careful where he places his gun. The day before I heard this melancholy news, I returned from Bradley where I had spent a fortnight when Jane & Robert proposed the plan of going for a little time to London, & so kindly & anxiously expressed their wish that I would go with them, that my quiet feelings were overcome, & I consented but really since Richard Butler’s letter, I feel my spirits so blighted, My inclination has much diminished—if I go I shall set off with them en Suite on Tuesday the 19th—they mean to remain a month & have written to Warren’s for rooms. I shall stay as much of that time or all as I like & I will then my beloved H—&cc proceed on a little visit to you. When I pray I may meet you in health & happiness– Miss Uniacke travels with me as far as Doncaster & from thence proceeds to Ireland by Liverpool. I cannot answer the chit chat part of your letter as I am not in sufficient spirits to do so.
My kindest love to your dear Papa. My Sweet Ba Arabel Bro Sam &cc—ever my dearest Harry
Yr affectionately attached
Bummy
Address, on integral page: Miss Henrietta Barrett / Hope End / Nr Ledbury / Herefordshire.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
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