SD83. James Scarlett to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 308 (in part).
Dorking
Sept 11th 1807
My dear Barrett
I found your letter here this evening on my return from Claremont where I have been for the last week. I am very glad to hear that Sam is in such good spirits & Company. I own that I should be inclined, were I on the spot, to follow his example & therefore I do not blame him for allowing Mr R to pray by himself. Of course his part in the enterprize [sic] makes me more anxious than ever to know the issue of it. I trust there is hardly any danger—but be that as it may I cannot but think it a fortunate thing for Sam that he should be present & engaged in so important an adventure, which is likely to form an era in the history of the world. The think most to be apprehended is that Sam’s military ardour may not evaporate with the taking of Copenhagen, & that his first success may inspire him with the wish of attacking Bonaparte—at the head of an army. I console myself however with the reflection that the army cannot hurt him if he has a passion for it but that on the contrary according to Dr Swift
[“]To give a young gentleman right education
The army’s the only good school in the Nation”
I paid 400l to your account with Rogers the day after I saw you. This will make 900—pending the 1300 paid to B P S. There will be I conceive two or three hundred more coming to you from me which I will ascertain as soon as I can get at my papers in Guilford Street & make up the account. Mr Sharpe will attend to our suggestion about the half commission at Newcastle, but will also insist upon Clarke accounting to him for the sugars he has sold there. I shall set out tomorrow for Brighton for a few days. If you make any material change in your projects, that is to say, if you go with Devonshire or back into the North, pray let me know by a line to my chambers where Alic will always be found to forward it to me. Mrs S begs to join me in best regards to your mother & all you party in Manchester Sq & I am My dear Barrett
Ever yours most truly
J Scarlett
Address, on integral page: Edwd M Barrett Esqr / Mrs Moulton’s 16 King Street / Manchester Square / London.
Docket, in the hand of EM-B (father): Sepr 11. 1807–.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
___________________
