Supporting Documents

SD740.1.  Hugh Stuart Boyd to Arabella Moulton-Barrett

Addendum to The Brownings’ Correspondence, vol. 2.

Thursday Evening. April 12. 1831.

My dear Arabel

I at first told you that you were to do seventy two Orbits, I afterwards said you might do only half. Is it possible that you supposed I meant you were to do only half of each orbit? this was a great mistake– It is much easier to do a part of a Curve than the whole. Yet still they are not perfect, but you said you did them in a hurry. I suspect you are a cunning Girl, from the way you acted about the Curves; but your conduct about the teacup makes it pretty evident– It is easier to do it smaller than the same size, and it is much easier to make a narrow Ellipse than one of tolerable breadth. I told you not to make too narrow, but you were prudent enough to do it the easiest way. You say you are “sure it is right”– Mrs B– has examined it very attentively, & says positively, that it is not correct. If you have any doubts on the subject I will willingly send it up to Mr Lowry, but if you feel convinced it is right, of course nothing can get you out of it. I think I told you that you could not draw a line of equal thickness, and you said you were sure you could. From the manner in which you have drawn the Tea-cup as well as the Orbits, it is pretty evident that my assertion was quite correct. I have not yet heard from Mr Curzon– Dont be angry at my way of speaking, for I could not bring myself to speak more politely. In spite of the teacup* & the orbits I remain Your Sincere Friend H S Boyd

*I forgot to say that the sides of the Teacup are not quite correct.

Address: Miss A. Barrett / Hope End / near Ledbury.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Eton College Library.

___________________