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." 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
