Letter H 3 - 9/2/1855 - "I will not fail to quote Mrs Browning in the book I am now about. I think more highly of her poetry than ever - she is a noble creature."
Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: John Ruskin Print: Book
Edward Moulton-Barrett to his sister Elizabeth Barrett, 24 June 1822:
'Mr. McSwiney dined with us yesterday and was shown your Greek epitaph, in the first place
he says Anacreontic measure is not proper for an epitaph, it ought to be Hexameters or
Pentameters, in the second place you must send down the translation of it, as he cannot make
out your meaning. He also saw your lines which were sent to Colburns [i.e to Henry Colburn,
founder of the New Monthly Magazine] and thinks them quite beautiful but it is not adapted to
the public, as it is not so interesting to them not knowing the circumstances which attended it.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Daniel McSwiney Manuscript: Unknown
Edward Moulton-Barrett to his sister Elizabeth Barrett, 24 June 1822:
'Mr. McSwiney dined with us yesterday and was shown your Greek epitaph, in the first place
he says Anacreontic measure is not proper for an epitaph, it ought to be Hexameters or
Pentameters, in the second place you must send down the translation of it, as he cannot make
out your meaning. He also saw your lines which were sent to Colburns [i.e to Henry Colburn,
founder of the New Monthly Magazine] and thinks them quite beautiful but it is not adapted to
the public, as it is not so interesting to them not knowing the circumstances which attended it.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Daniel McSwiney Manuscript: Unknown
Thomas Campbell to Elizabeth Barrett, 28 August 1822, in response to her having asked his opinion of her narrative poem Leila:
'the poem is open to many objections -- It bespeaks an amiable heart and an elegant mind -- but it is the work of an inexperienced imagination & though the versification & expression are
such as should make me very loth to exhort you to give up poetical composition Yet I should
decieve you if I anticipated the story and main effect of the poem being likely to be popularly
admired -- I have marked one or two passages to which I particularly object -- I object in
general to its lyric intermixtures -- The are the most difficult of all gems to set in a Narrative
poem & should always be of the first water.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Campbell Manuscript: Unknown
Mary Moulton-Barrett to her daughter, Elizabeth Barrett, on the publication of the latter's 'Lines on the death of Lord Byron', 5 July 1824:
'In the Globe & Traveller of 30th June appears Lines on the death of Ld Byron, which we beg to recommend as worthy your notice. As Papa took up the paper in the Dining Room a glance satisfied me whence they came, but I said nothing until he came into the Drawing Room, when taking the paper, with a becoming carelessness of air, I asked him what he thought of those lines [...] ["]They cannot be Ba's" said he, taking the paper from me to read them again, ["]tho' certainly when I first read them, they reminded me greatly of her style -- have you
any idea they are hers?["] "I have a [italics]conviction[end italics] of it," said the conceited Mother [...] suffice it to say, my beloved child, that Papa is quite delighted with these feeling & beautiful lines, & thinks them superior to any you ever wrote'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Edward and Mary Moulton-Barrett Print: Serial / periodical
Mary Moulton-Barrett to her daughter Elizabeth Barrett, on receiving advance copies of the latter's first published volume of poetry the previous evening, 28 February 1826:
'vain the temptations of our "rich repast," till I had peeped into those pieces which had not yet delighted our eyes -- nor did Papa, taste any thing, till he had found the paper cutter, so that between every two or three mouthfuls, we had "Riga's" dying strain, or a "dream," or something which made us feel too much to do the usual justice to Mrs Treherns cookery'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Edward and Mary Moulton-Barrett Print: Book
Mary Moulton-Barrett to her daughter Elizabeth Barrett, on receiving advance copies of the latter's first published volume of poetry the previous evening, 28 February 1826:
'Arabel, who had read the fugitive pieces and some of the Essay to the listening circle [in drawing room], told me she thought the former beautiful, but that she did not understand a word of the former [sic] [...] & Henry who was indulging in turning "[italics]clean[end italics]" over head & heels, after his intellectual treat, declared he thought "every word of it, was very nice indeed."'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Arabella Moulton-Barrett Print: Book
Mary Moulton-Barrett to her daughter Elizabeth Barrett, on receiving advance copies of the latter's first published volume of poetry the previous evening, 28 February 1826:
'Arabel, who had read the fugitive pieces and some of the Essay to the listening circle [in drawing room], told me she thought the former beautiful, but that she did not understand a word of the former [sic] [...] & Henry who was indulging in turning "[italics]clean[end italics]" over head & heels, after his intellectual treat, declared he thought "every word of it, was very nice indeed."'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Arabella Moulton-Barrett Print: Book
Mary Moulton-Barrett to her daughter Elizabeth Barrett, on receiving advance copies of the latter's first published volume of poetry the previous evening, 28 February 1826:
'Arabel, who had read the fugitive pieces and some of the Essay to the listening circle [in drawing room], told me she thought the former beautiful, but that she did not understand a word of the former [sic] [...] & Henry who was indulging in turning "[italics]clean[end italics]" over head & heels, after his intellectual treat, declared he thought "every word of it, was very nice indeed." After these learned critics had betaken themselves to bed, Papa & I, each with a precious little vol: in our hands, drew close to the fire, and conned over every word [goes on to discuss reponses to individual pieces in detail]'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Edward and Mary Moulton-Barrett Print: Book
John Kenyon to his distant relative Elizabeth Barrett, on the latter's An Essay on Mind (read in a copy borrowed from Barrett), 12 July 1826:
'I had scarcely quitted you, when I thought that I had been very injudicious, to say the least, to beg your book -- Probably enough, you may not have another in the house.
[...]
'Your work has not afforded solitary pleasure -- Mrs Kenyon [wife] has shared it with me, and Mr Philipps is making himself acquainted with it.
'For myself, claiming a cousin-ship in some degree or other, I have read it with pride as well as pleasure [goes on to discuss various pieces and passages further].'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Caroline Kenyon Print: Book
John Kenyon to his distant relative Elizabeth Barrett, on the latter's An Essay on Mind (read in a copy borrowed from Barrett), 12 July 1826:
'I had scarcely quitted you, when I thought that I had been very injudicious, to say the least, to beg your book -- Probably enough, you may not have another in the house.
[...]
'Your work has not afforded solitary pleasure -- Mrs Kenyon [wife] has shared it with me, and Mr Philipps is making himself acquainted with it.
'For myself, claiming a cousin-ship in some degree or other, I have read it with pride as well as pleasure [goes on to discuss various pieces and passages further].'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Mr Philipps Print: Book
John Kenyon to his distant relative Elizabeth Barrett, on the latter's An Essay on Mind (read in a copy borrowed from Barrett), 12 July 1826:
'I had scarcely quitted you, when I thought that I had been very injudicious, to say the least, to beg your book -- Probably enough, you may not have another in the house.
[...]
'Your work has not afforded solitary pleasure -- Mrs Kenyon [wife] has shared it with me, and Mr Philipps is making himself acquainted with it.
'For myself, claiming a cousin-ship in some degree or other, I have read it with pride as well as pleasure [goes on to discuss various pieces and passages further].'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: John Kenyon Print: Book
Uvedale Price to Elizabeth Barrett, 17 November 1826, in response to her written comments on his Essay on the Modern Pronunciation of the Greek and Latin Languages:
'I have read your paper with more attention than I could give it in a hasty reading [goes on to engage with particular points raised by Barrett in detail]'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Uvedale Price Manuscript: Letter
'In 1826 and early 1827, E[lizabeth] B[arrett] B[arrett] struggled with a long poem, "The Development of Genius" [...] She showed it to her father in early February 1827 and he ridiculed it [...] but [Uvedale] Price encouraged her. However, it was not published in her lifetime.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Edward Moulton-Barrett Manuscript: Unknown
Mary Moulton-Barrett to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett, 11 April 1826:
'Mrs. Campbell & her lovely children quite well. They all have the poem. Mrs. D[effell] says it has been her amusement & study & however incapable she may be of judging of a literary
work, nature & the feelings of the heart she can appreciate as well as the learned, therefore
she is delighted with the Essay [on Mind], tho' the subject be dry and deep -- "it exhibits in its
pages the purity, the piety of the Author's mind. Extensive reading & the power of carefully
separating, as she proceeds in the study of dangerous writers, the tares from the wheat, it
seems to me a wonderful production." [quotation apparently from letter by Mrs Deffell]'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Mrs Deffell Print: Book
Angela Bayford to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett, 16 May 1826:
'Emily lent the Essay on Mind to John Cumberlidge who read it attentively and returned it,
marked in [italics]several[end italics] places, but only [italics]once[end italics] in
disapprobation. At the corner of what page this "[italics]Qu[end italics]" is placed I dare not
tell'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: John Cumberlidge Print: Book
John Ramsay to James Graham-Clarke, 14 October 1826:
'Some time ago I sent a Copy of the little work of your highly-gifted, elegant-minded Niece
[Elizabeth Barrett] to a literary character in Edinburgh well known to [Francis] Jeffrey. I did
not hear from him till yesterday [...] I shall transcribe parts of his letter to me.
'"I perused with much pleasure the Essay on Mind &ca. The whole I consider an excellent
production when the age of the Author [20] is taken into account. But I have hesitated to
present the book to the Edinr Reviewers [...] The subject "Mind" is greatly too extensive, and
instead if being exhausted the different departments of the subject are scarcely noticed [goes
on to discuss in great, critical detail]"'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: anon Print: Book
'During these eight months [of striving for literary fame, aged eleven] I never felt myself of
ore consequence or had a better opinion of my own talents -- In short I was in infinite danger
of being as vain as I was inexperienced! During this dangerous period I was from home & the
fever of a heated imagination was perhaps increased by the intoxicating gai[e]ties of a
watering place Ramsgate where we then were and where I commenced my poem "The Battle
of Marathon" [...] When we came home one day after having written a page of poetry which I
considered models of beauty I ran downstairs to the library to seek Popes Homer in order to
compare them that I might enjoy my OWN SUPERIORITY [...] I brought Homer up in triumph &
read first my own Poem & afterwards began to compare -- I read fifty lines from the glorious
Father of the lyre -- It was enough -- I felt the whole extent of my own immense & mortifying
inferiority --
'My first impulse was to throw with mingled feelings of contempt & anguish my composition on
the floor -- my next to burst into tears! & I wept for an hour and then returned to reason and
humility [...] From this period for a twelvemonth I could find no pleasure in any book but
Homer. I read & longed to read again and tho I had it nearly by heart I still found new
beauties & fresh enchantments'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Manuscript: Unknown
Elizabeth Barrett to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett, from Eastnor Castle, c.October 1827:
'As Lady Margaret wished to see a part of my poem, I read her a few sheets, & when I had done she begged they might remain with her till I left Eastnor [...]
'She said the work shewed "great mind & thought [italics]always[end italics], -- & poetical power [italics]frequently[end italics]:" observing in criticism that I was "too metaphysical now & then."'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Manuscript: Sheet
Elizabeth Barrett to Hugh Stuart Boyd, 16 May 1829:
'I had a very obliging letter from Mr Barker yesterday, to tell me that he had lent my poems to the Bishop of Limerick who was indulgent in his opinion of them, & intended to send me his sermons.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: John Jebb Print: Unknown
Mary Russell Mitford to Elzabeth Barrett, 13 October 1836:
'I have just read your delightful ballad. My earliest book was "Percy's Reliques," the delight of
my childhood; and after them came Scott's "Minstrelsy of the Borders," the favourite of my
youth; so that I am prepared to love ballads [...] Are you a great reader of the old English
drama? I am -- preferring it to every other sort of reading; of course admitting, and
regretting, the grossness of the age; but that, from habit, one skips, without a thought just as
I should over so much Greek or Hebrew which I knew I could not comprehend. have you read
Victor Hugo's Plays? (he also is one of my naughty pets), and his "Notre Dame?" I admit the
bad taste of these, the excess; but the power and the pathos are to me indescribably great.
And then he has [...] made the French a new language. He has accomplished this partly by
going back to the old fountains, Froissart, &c. Again, these old Chronicles are great books of
mine.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Russell Mitford Print: Serial / periodical
Mary Russell Mitford to Lady Dacre, 3 July 1836, on Elizabeth Barrett:
'The "Essay on Mind" which she sent me [...] was written before she was
seventeen -- It is a
wonderful production -- with notes as full of learning as those to the Prometheus.
Henry Cary
[...] was reading it here yesterday -- & declared that she had read books and
alluded to them
familiarly as if read by every body that the young men at Oxford in his day ever
thought of
looking into.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Henry Cary Print: Book
Thomas Noon Talfourd to Elizabeth Barrett, 2 June 1838:
'Mr Serjt Talfourd presents his compliments to Miss Barrett and begs to express to her how much he is gratified and honored by the gift of her charming volume of poems; -- at which he has already glanced with singular pleasure -- and which he hopes to enjoy thoroughly in the first leisure he can obtain.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Noon Talfourd Print: Book
Arabella Moulton-Barrett to Hugh Stuart Boyd, 28 January 1839:
'You may fancy our surprise when, upon opening the Athenaeum, on Saturday, the first thing
Papa saw, was these lines ["L.E.L.'s Last Question"] of Ba [Elizabeth Barrett]'s, -- who had
written them & sent them to the editor, unknown to any one.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Edward Moulton-Barrett Print: Serial / periodical
Arabella Moulton-Barrett to Samuel Moulton-Barrett, 15 August 1839:
'Georgie [brother] is at Torquay, & he wrote out and sent to me the other day, Ba's ballad,
unknown to her -- & by doing so, Papa says he has committed a breach of morality & he
refuses to read it. I, not being quite so strict, have read it & am quite overflowing with
gratitude to George for being so very IMMORAL -- It is most beautiful [...] but SO horrible [...]
my hair felt inclined to turn [italics]upward[end italics] as I read it!'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: George Goodin Moulton-Barrett Manuscript: Unknown
Arabella Moulton-Barrett to Samuel Moulton-Barrett, 15 August 1839:
'Georgie [brother] is at Torquay, & he wrote out and sent to me the other day, Ba's ballad,
unknown to her -- & by doing so, Papa says he has committed a breach of morality & he
refuses to read it. I, not being quite so strict, have read it & am quite overflowing with
gratitude to George for being so very IMMORAL -- It is most beautiful [...] but SO horrible [...]
my hair felt inclined to turn [italics]upward[end italics] as I read it!'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Arabella Moulton-Barrett Manuscript: Unknown
Mary Russell Mitford to Elizabeth Barrett, ?27 March 1842:
'I made my father happy in reading what you say of Sir Robert [Peel]: his eyes brightened like
diamonds at the sound. For my part, I incline to think with one of Miss Edgeworth's heroines,
that "he cannot be so very artful as is said, because everybody does say so."'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Russell Mitford Manuscript: Letter
Elizabeth Barrett to Hugh Stuart Boyd, 2 April 1842:
'As to your kind desire to hear whatever in the way of favorable remark I have gathered for
fruit of my papers [on the Greek Christian poets], I put on a veil and tell you that Mr Kenyon
thought it well done altho' "labor thrown away from the unpopularity of the subject" -- that
Miss Mitford was very much pleased [...] that Mrs Jamieson read them "with great pleasure"
unconsciously of the author, -- & that Mr Horne the poet & Mr Browning the poet were not
behind in approbation! Mr Browning is said to be learned in Greek [...] & of Mr Horne I should
suspect something similar. Miss Mitford & Mrs Jamieson altho' very gifted & highly cultivated
women are not Graecians & therefore judge the papers simply as English compositions.
'The single unfavorable opinion is Mr Hunter's who thinks that the criticisms are not given with
either sufficient seriousness or diffidence, & that there is a painful sense of effort through the
whole.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: John Kenyon Print: Serial / periodical
Elizabeth Barrett to Hugh Stuart Boyd, 2 April 1842:
'As to your kind desire to hear whatever in the way of favorable remark I have gathered for
fruit of my papers [on the Greek Christian poets], I put on a veil and tell you that Mr Kenyon
thought it well done altho' "labor thrown away from the unpopularity of the subject" -- that
Miss Mitford was very much pleased [...] that Mrs Jamieson read them "with great pleasure"
unconsciously of the author, -- & that Mr Horne the poet & Mr Browning the poet were not
behind in approbation! Mr Browning is said to be learned in Greek [...] & of Mr Horne I should
suspect something similar. Miss Mitford & Mrs Jamieson altho' very gifted & highly cultivated
women are not Graecians & therefore judge the papers simply as English compositions.
'The single unfavorable opinion is Mr Hunter's who thinks that the criticisms are not given with
either sufficient seriousness or diffidence, & that there is a painful sense of effort through the
whole.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Russell Mitford Print: Serial / periodical
Elizabeth Barrett to Hugh Stuart Boyd, 2 April 1842:
'As to your kind desire to hear whatever in the way of favorable remark I have gathered for
fruit of my papers [on the Greek Christian poets], I put on a veil and tell you that Mr Kenyon
thought it well done altho' "labor thrown away from the unpopularity of the subject" -- that
Miss Mitford was very much pleased [...] that Mrs Jamieson read them "with great pleasure"
unconsciously of the author, -- & that Mr Horne the poet & Mr Browning the poet were not
behind in approbation! Mr Browning is said to be learned in Greek [...] & of Mr Horne I should
suspect something similar. Miss Mitford & Mrs Jamieson altho' very gifted & highly cultivated
women are not Graecians & therefore judge the papers simply as English compositions.
'The single unfavorable opinion is Mr Hunter's who thinks that the criticisms are not given with
either sufficient seriousness or diffidence, & that there is a painful sense of effort through the
whole.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Mrs Jamieson Print: Serial / periodical
Elizabeth Barrett to Hugh Stuart Boyd, 2 April 1842:
'As to your kind desire to hear whatever in the way of favorable remark I have gathered for
fruit of my papers [on the Greek Christian poets], I put on a veil and tell you that Mr Kenyon
thought it well done altho' "labor thrown away from the unpopularity of the subject" -- that
Miss Mitford was very much pleased [...] that Mrs Jamieson read them "with great pleasure"
unconsciously of the author, -- & that Mr Horne the poet & Mr Browning the poet were not
behind in approbation! Mr Browning is said to be learned in Greek [...] & of Mr Horne I should
suspect something similar. Miss Mitford & Mrs Jamieson altho' very gifted & highly cultivated
women are not Graecians & therefore judge the papers simply as English compositions.
'The single unfavorable opinion is Mr Hunter's who thinks that the criticisms are not given with
either sufficient seriousness or diffidence, & that there is a painful sense of effort through the
whole.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Richard Hengist Horne Print: Serial / periodical
Elizabeth Barrett to Hugh Stuart Boyd, 2 April 1842:
'As to your kind desire to hear whatever in the way of favorable remark I have gathered for
fruit of my papers [on the Greek Christian poets], I put on a veil and tell you that Mr Kenyon
thought it well done altho' "labor thrown away from the unpopularity of the subject" -- that
Miss Mitford was very much pleased [...] that Mrs Jamieson read them "with great pleasure"
unconsciously of the author, -- & that Mr Horne the poet & Mr Browning the poet were not
behind in approbation! Mr Browning is said to be learned in Greek [...] & of Mr Horne I should
suspect something similar. Miss Mitford & Mrs Jamieson altho' very gifted & highly cultivated
women are not Graecians & therefore judge the papers simply as English compositions.
'The single unfavorable opinion is Mr Hunter's who thinks that the criticisms are not given with
either sufficient seriousness or diffidence, & that there is a painful sense of effort through the
whole.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Browning Print: Serial / periodical
Elizabeth Barrett to Hugh Stuart Boyd, 2 April 1842:
'As to your kind desire to hear whatever in the way of favorable remark I have gathered for
fruit of my papers [on the Greek Christian poets], I put on a veil and tell you that Mr Kenyon
thought it well done altho' "labor thrown away from the unpopularity of the subject" -- that
Miss Mitford was very much pleased [...] that Mrs Jamieson read them "with great pleasure"
unconsciously of the author, -- & that Mr Horne the poet & Mr Browning the poet were not
behind in approbation! Mr Browning is said to be learned in Greek [...] & of Mr Horne I should
suspect something similar. Miss Mitford & Mrs Jamieson altho' very gifted & highly cultivated
women are not Graecians & therefore judge the papers simply as English compositions.
'The single unfavorable opinion is Mr Hunter's who thinks that the criticisms are not given with
either sufficient seriousness or diffidence, & that there is a painful sense of effort through the
whole.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: George Barrett Hunter Print: Serial / periodical
William Wordsworth to Elizabeth Barrett, 26 October 1842:
'I had the gratification of receiving a good while ago, two copies of a volume of your writing,
which I have read with [italics]much[end italics] pleasure'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth Print: Book
Harriet Martineau to Elizabeth Barrett, 1 August 1843:
'I owe to you many many moments of pleasure, some ideas (rare gifts in this age!) & no small
feeling of complacency from your permission to my dear Mrs Reid to bring me your very noble
poem, Pan Departed [sic]. The stanzas of that poem have run in my head, & raised my
thought, ever since the first reading [...] May I add that I would sacrifice the whole poem, --
throw it into the fire, -- if the name & offices of Christ did not stand in it exactly as they do.'
Unknown
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Martineau
Thomas Westwood to Elizabeth Barrett, 24 August 1843:
'I intended to return the book much earlier, but [...] the "Legend" was most peremptory in its
demand to be read & re-read & then it positively refused to go back, till a copy had been
made. So we were obliged to set a nimble little hand to work, & can now part with the
volume, with the satisfactory feeling that all we most value in it, we have made our own. I
cannot tell you how much I admire the poem, for every time I read it -- my liking increases.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Westwood Print: Book
Richard Hengist Horne to Elizabeth Barrett, 27 August 1843:
'Miss Mitford read to me -- and with what a melodious feeling she reads poetry -- your "House of
Clouds." I did not know of it before. I thought it very beautiful [...] Miss Mitford thought it your
[italics]best[end italics] production -- I, one of them.'
Unknown
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Russell Mitford
Thomas Westwood to Elizabeth Barrett, 26 September 1843:
'Browning, I have read but little of -- indeed "Pippa passes" -- is almost the only poem of his
that I have seen -- the commencement I thought very beautiful, & the [italics]design[end
italics] of the poem altogether, -- but the interior is often so labyrinthine, that it is not the
easiest matter in the world to thread one's way [...] Turning over some numbers of the
Athenaeum, last night, I came upon a review of [R. H. Horne's Orion], which the first half-
dozen lines proclaimed to be yours. How pleasant it is, all of a sudden, to turn round a corner,
& be met by some familiar face [...]
'I read the "Brown Rosarie["] the other day to a young friend, an artist & he was so much
delighted with it, that he determined forthwith to execute a set of designs from it.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Westwood Print: Serial / periodical
Thomas Westwood to Elizabeth Barrett, 26 September 1843:
'Browning, I have read but little of -- indeed "Pippa passes" -- is almost the only poem of his
that I have seen -- the commencement I thought very beautiful, & the [italics]design[end
italics] of the poem altogether, -- but the interior is often so labyrinthine, that it is not the
easiest matter in the world to thread one's way [...] Turning over some numbers of the
Athenaeum, last night, I came upon a review of [R. H. Horne's Orion], which the first half-
dozen lines proclaimed to be yours. How pleasant it is, all of a sudden, to turn round a corner,
& be met by some familiar face [...]
'I read the "Brown Rosarie["] the other day to a young friend, an artist & he was so much
delighted with it, that he determined forthwith to execute a set of designs from it.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Westwood Print: Book
Harriet Martineau to Elizabeth Barrett, 16 October 1843:
'Lady M. Lambton discharged her commission punctually, bringing me your precious volume
before 1st of Sepr. Then I wished to read & study it before writing; & then came such a
succession of visitors [...] that I have had to [...] put off all letters to a quieter time [...] here
is a quiet morning, & I use its strength to thank you.
'I find noble & beautiful thoughts & lines in the Seraphim, & shall ever be glad that I have seen
it. But I own to you that I turn with a stronger desire & pleasure to the minor poems, some of
which really transport me [...] It is because some of the minor poems are riper, more
complete & self-contained, & therefore simpler in expression [...] that I prefer them.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Martineau Print: Book
Thomas Westwood to Elizabeth Barrett, 28 January 1844:
'For the Dramas [of Richard Hengist Horne], we owe you many thanks -- we have read them
all, & admired them all [...] I confess I have formed an almost higher opinion of Mr Horne's
genius from them, than from "Orion" [poem] [...] "Delora["] too, has many fine passages, --
and I should be more particular in adverting to them & others, were it not that your own pencil
has forestalled me, so that my encomiums would be, in most cases, but a reiteration of your
own [goes on to reflect upon pleasures of reading annotations by others in books]'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Westwood Print: BookManuscript: Unknown
Sara Coleridge to John Kenyon, 1844:
'I return with thanks the Poems of Miss Barrett, which I now always mention in high terms to
any of my acquaintances, whenever the conversations [sic] affords an opportunity. I think my
favourites are the "Poet's Vow," "A Romance of the Ganges," "Isobel's Child" (so like
"Christabel" in manner, as mamma and I both thought), "The Island," "The Deserted Garden,"
and "Cowper's Grave" [goes on to criticise work in further detail]'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Sara Coleridge Print: Book
Thomas Westwood to Elizabeth Barrett, 21 August 1844:
'I regret to say, dear Miss Barrett, that we have achieved our first reading of the book, & like
silly children, who have plucked grape, by grape, till not one is left upon the stalk, we are
wishing, with a sigh, that the pleasure were yet to come [...] let me thank you, first of all, for
that little touch of kindness, which made itself warmly felt, when in cutting open the leaves I
came to the "Romance of the Swan's Nest" [goes on to discuss other pieces in detail]'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Westwood and family Print: Book
Thomas Westwood to Elizabeth Barrett, 21 August 1844:
'I regret to say, dear Miss Barrett, that we have achieved our first reading of the book, & like
silly children, who have plucked grape, by grape, till not one is left upon the stalk, we are
wishing, with a sigh, that the pleasure were yet to come [...] let me thank you, first of all, for
that little touch of kindness, which made itself warmly felt, when in cutting open the leaves I
came to the "Romance of the Swan's Nest" [goes on to discuss other pieces in detail]'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Westwood Print: Book
Harriet Martineau to Elizabeth Barrett, 16 September 1844:
'You have been in my mind, & your vols -- or one at a time, while the other was out, -- open
before me daily, & many times in a day [...] I saw at once -- in cutting the leaves -- that you
had made an immense advance on the former volume [goes on to note various shorter pieces]
[...] Lady Geraldine is glorious. I was [italics]swept[end italics] through it [continues with
further, detailed criticism of whole collection].'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Martineau Print: Book
Robert Browning to Elizabeth Barrett, letter postmarked 10 January 1845:
'I love your verses with all my heart, dear Miss Barrett [...] since the day last week when I first read your poems, I quite laugh to remember how I have been turning and turning again in my mind what I should be able to tell you of their effect upon me [...] part of me it has become, this great living poetry of yours, not a flower of which but took root and grew [...] talking with whoever is worthy, I can give a reason for my faith in one and another excellence, the fresh strange music, the affluent language, the exquisite pathos and true new brave thought -- but in thus addressing myself to you, your own self, and for the first time, my feeling rises altogether [goes on to describe how had previously missed opportunity of being introduced to Barrett by their mutual friend John Kenyon].'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Browning Print: Book
Robert Browning to Elizabeth Barrett, ?18 July 1845:
'I confess to you that [...] as soon as I read your "Essay on Mind" (which of course I managed to do about 12 hours after Mr [John] K[enyon]'s positive refusal to keep his promise, and give me the book) from preface to Vision of Fame at the end, and reflected upon my own doings in that time, 1826, I did indeed see, and wonder at, your advance over me in years'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Browning Print: Book
Robert Browning to Elizabeth Barrett, 16 November 1845:
'Since I wrote what is above, I have been reading [...] that sonnet -- "Past and Future" -- which affects me more than any poem I ever read [...] is not that sonnet to be loved as a true utterance of yours?'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Browning Print: Book
