Day: September 17, 2018

[Postmark: September 17, 1846]

5 o’clock.

My own Ba, I believe, or am sure the mistake has been mine – in the flurry I noted down the departures from Havre – instead of Southampton. You must either be at the Vauxhall Station by four o’clock – so as to arrive in 3 hours and a half at Southampton and leave by 8¼ P.M. – or must go by the Sunday Boat, – or wait till Tuesday. Dieppe is impossible, being too early. You must decide – and let me know directly. To-morrow is too early – yet one . . that is, I – could manage.

Ever your own, in all haste

R. B.

[Postmark: September 17, 1846]

My only sweetest, I will write just a word to catch the earlier post, – time pressing. Bless you for all you suffer . . I know it though it would be very needless to call your attention to the difficulties. I know much, if not all, and can only love and admire you, – not help, alas !

Surely these difficulties will multiply, if you go to Bookham – the way will be to leave at once. The letters may easily be written during the journey . . at Orléans, for example. But now, – you propose Saturday . . nothing leaves Southampton according to to-day’s advertisement, till Tuesday . . the days seemed changed to Tuesdays and Fridays. To-morrow at 8¼ P.M. and Friday the 22, 10¼. Provoking ! I will go to town directly to the railway office and enquire particularly – getting the time-table also. Under these circumstances, we have only the choice of Dieppe (as needing the shortest diligence-journey) – or the Sunday morning Havre-packet, at 9 A.M. – which you do not consider practicable : though it would, I think, take us the quickliest out of all the trouble. I will let you know all particulars in a note to-night . . it shall reach you to-night.

If we went from London only, the luggage could be sent here or in any case, perhaps . . as one fly will carry them with me and mine, and save possibility of delay.

I am very well, dearest dearest – my mother no worse, better, perhaps – she is out now. Our staying and getting into trouble would increase her malady.

As you leave it to me, – the name, and ‘ Wimpole St.’ will do. Jamaica sounds in the wrong direction, does it not ? and the other place is distinctive enough.

Take no desk . . I will take a large one – take nothing you can leave – but secure letters &c. I will take out a passport. Did you not tell me roughly at how much you estimated our expenses for the journey ? Because I will take about that much, and get Rothschild’s letter of credit for Leghorn. One should avoid carrying money about with one.

All this in such haste ! Bless you, my dearest dearest Ba

Your R.

All was right in the licence, and Certificate and Register – the whole name is there, E.B.M.B. The clergyman made the mistake in not having the two names, but all runs right to read . . the essential thing.

[Postmark: September 17, 1846]

Dearest, the general departure from this house takes place on Monday – and the house at Little Bookham is six miles from the nearest railroad, and a mile and a half from Leatherhead where a coach runs. Now you are to judge. Certainly if I go with you on Saturday I shall not have half the letters written – you, who talk so largely of epic poems, have not the least imagination of my state of mind and spirits. I began to write a letter to Papa this morning, and could do nothing but cry, and looked so pale thereupon, that everybody wondered what could be the matter. Oh – quite well I am now, and I only speak of myself in that way to show you how the inspiration is by no means sufficient for epic poems. Still, I may certainly write the necessary letters, . . and do the others on the road . . could I, do you think ? I would rather have waited – indeed rather – only it may be difficult to leave Bookham . . yet possible – so tell me what you would have me do.

Wilson and I have a light box and a carpet bag between us – and I will be docile about the books, dearest. Do you take a desk ? Had I better not, I wonder ?

Then for box and carpet bag . . Remember that we cannot take them out of the house with us. We must send them the evening before – Friday evening, if we went on Saturday . . and where ? Have you a friend anywhere, to whose house they might be sent, or could they go direct to the railroad office – and what office ? In that case they should have your name on them, should they not ?

Now think for me, ever dearest – and tell me what you do not tell me . . that you continue better. Ah no – you are ill again – or you would not wait to be told to tell me. And the dear, dear little bud ! – I shall keep it to the end of my life, if you love me so long, . . or not, sir ! I thank you, dearest.

Your mother ! – I am very, very sorry. Would it be better and kinder to wait on her account ? – tell me that too.

Yes, they are perfectly kind. We must love them well : and I shall, I am sure.

Mr. Kenyon sends the ‘ Fawn,’ which IS Landor’s Fawn, and desires me to send it to you when I have done with it. As if I could read a word ! He directs me to write to him to Taunton, Somersetshire. May God bless you, beloved.

No more to-night from your very own

BA.

Are not passengers allowed to carry a specific proportion of luggage ? What do you mean then, by paying for every ounce ? As to Dieppe, the diligence would be more fatiguing than the river, and, without strong reasons, one would prefer of course the Havre plan. Still I am not afraid of either. Think.

You might put in the newspaper . . of Wimpole Street and Jamaica, or . . and Cinnamon Hill, Jamaica. That is right and I thought of it at first – only stopped . . seeming to wish to have as little about poor Papa as possible. Do as you think best now.