My dear Mr. Westwood,--I send you the manuscript you ask for, and also my certificate that, although I certainly was once a little girl, yet I never in my life had fair hair, or received lessons when you mention. I think a cousin of mine, now dead, may have done it. The 'Barrett Barrett' seems to specify my family. I have a little cousin with bright fair hair at this moment who is an Elizabeth Barrett (the subject of my 'Portrait'[108]), but then she is a 'Georgiana' besides, and your friend must refer to times past. My hair is very dark indeed, and always was, as long as I remember, and also I have a friend who makes serious affidavit that I have never changed (except by being rather taller) since I was a year old. Altogether, you cannot make a case of identity out, and I am forced to give up the glory of being so long remembered for my cleverness. You do wrong in supposing me inclined to underrate Mr. Melville's power. He is inclined to High-Churchism, and to such doctrines as apostolical succession, and I, who, am a Dissenter, and a believer in a universal Christianity, recoil from the exclusive doctrine. But then, that is not depreciatory of his power and eloquence--surely not. E.B. [Footnote 108: _Poetical Works_, iii. 172.] _To Mr. Chorley_ 50 Wimpole Street: Monday. [About the end of August 1844.] Dear Mr. Chorley,--Kindnesses are more frequent things with me than gladnesses, but I thank you earnestly for both in the letter I have this moment received.[109] You have given me a quick sudden pleasure which goes deeper (I am very sure) than self-love, for it must be something better than vanity that brings the tears so near the eyes. I thank you, dear Mr. Chorley. After all, we are not quite strangers. I have had some early encouragement and direction from you, and much earlier (and later) literary pleasures from such of your writings as did not refer to me. I have studied 'Music and Manners'[110] under you, and found an excuse for my love of romance-reading from your grateful fancy. Then, as dear Miss Mitford's friend, you could not help being (however against your will!) a little my acquaintance; and this she daringly promised to make you in reality some day, till I took the fervour for prophecy. Altogether I am justified, while I thank you as a stranger, to say one more word as a friend, and _that_ shall be the best word--'_May God bless you_!' The trials with which He tries us all are different, but our faces may be turned towards the end in cheerfulness, for '_to_ the end He has loved us.' I remain, Very faithfully, your obliged ELIZABETH B. BARRETT. You may trust me with the secret of your kindness to me. It shall not go farther. [Footnote 109: A summary of its contents is given in the next letter but one.] [Footnote 110: _Music and Manners in France and Germany: a Series of Travelling Sketches of Art and Society_, published by Mr. Chorley in 1841.] _To H.S. Boyd_ Monday, September 1, 1844.