into literary work.  In a life such as this there are few outward events to record, and its story is best told in Miss Barrett’s own letters, which, for the most part, need little comment.  The letters of the end of 1841 and beginning of 1842 are almost entirely written to Mr. Boyd, and the main subject of them is the series of papers on the Greek Christian poets and the English poets which, at the suggestion of Mr. Dilke, then editor of the ‘Athenaeum,’ she contributed to that periodical.  Of the composition of original poetry we hear less at this time.

To H.S.  Boyd 50 Wimpole Street:  October 2, 1841.

My very dear Friend,—­I thank you for the letter and books which crossed the threshold of this house before me, and looked like your welcome to me home.  I have read the passages you wished me to read—­I have read them again:  for I remember reading them under your star (or the greater part of them) a long while ago.  You, on the other hand, may remember of me, that I never could concede to you much admiration for your Gregory as a poet—­not even to his grand work ’De Virginitate.’  He is one of those writers, of whom there are instances in our own times, who are only poetical in prose.

The passage imitative of Chryses I cannot think much of.  Try to be forgiving.  It is toasted dry between the two fires of the Scriptures and Homer, and is as stiff as any dry toast out of the simile.  To be sincere, I like dry toast better.

The Hymns and Prayers I very much prefer; and although I remembered a good deal about them, it has given me a pleasure you will approve of to go through them in this edition.  The one which I like best, which I like far best, which I think worth all the rest (’De Virginitate’ and all put together), is the second upon page 292, beginning ’Soi charis.’  It is very fine, I think, written out of the heart and for the heart, warm with a natural heat, and not toasted dry and brown and stiff at a fire by any means.

Dear Mr. Boyd, I coveted Arabel’s walk to you the other day.  I shall often covet my neighbour’s walks, I believe, although (and may God be praised for it!) I am more happy—­that is, nearing to the feeling of happiness now—­than a month since I could believe possible to a heart so bruised and crushed as mine has [been] be at home is a blessing and a relief beyond what these words can say.

But, dear Mr. Boyd, you said something in a note to Arabel some little time ago, which I will ask of your kindness to avoid saying again.  I have been through the whole summer very much better; and even if it were not so I should dread being annoyed by more medical speculations.  Pray do not suggest any.  I am not in a state to admit of experiments, and my case is a very clear and simple one.  I have not one symptom like those of my old illness; and after more than fifteen years’ absolute suspension of them, their recurrence is scarcely probable.