John Constable: Maria Bicknell

"Maria Bicknell" by John Constable

"Maria Bicknell, a young lady between whom and Constable there existed a mutual attachment, was the daughter of Charles Bicknell, Esq., a Solicitor to the Admiralty, and granddaughter to the Rev. Dr. Rhudde, Rector of Bergholt, where Constable's acquaintance with her had commenced as early as the year 1800. Objections to their union arose on the part of Miss Bicknell's friends, Dr. Rhudde being its chief opposer. He was probably unwilling that she should marry a man below herself in point of fortune, and whom he considered as without a profession. It also became plain that Mr. Bicknell would not long have opposed the marriage, had it not been for fear of excluding his daughter's name from the will of her grandfather, who was very rich. As it was John and Maria were doomed for five years to suffer all the wearing anxieties of hope deferred, of which their own letters form a deeply interesting history.

In one note, Maria wrote John: 'What can we do?... We must be wise and leave off a correspondence that is not calculated to make us think less of each other. We have many painful trials required of us in this life, and we must learn to bear them with resignation. You will still be my friend, and I will be yours...'

It was scarcely to be expected that the injunctions of Miss Bicknell, to write no more to her, should be obeyed by Constable, and a regular interchange of letters soon took place between them - for years. He related to her:

'How much real delight have I had with the study of landscape this summer. Either I am myself improved in the art of seeing nature, which Sir Joshua calls painting, or nature has unveiled her beauties to me less fastidiously. Perhaps there is something of both, so we will divide the compliment. But I am writing this nonsense with a sad heart, when I think what would be my happiness could I have this enjoyment with you. Then indeed would my mind be calm to contemplate the endless beauties of this happy country.'

After five years of faithful correspondence, she had arrived at the age of twenty-nine; a time of life at which, patient as she was, she felt entitled to determine for herself a matter which so entirely affected her own happiness. And so they were married on the 2nd of October, 1816, at St. Martin's Church. Mr. Bicknell did not long withhold his forgiveness from his daughter, and now that he allowed himself opportunities of knowing Constable, he became extremely fond of him. Dr. Rhudde was not so soon reconciled to the marriage, but at his death he left his grand-daughter a legacy, she probably little expected, of 4,000 pounds."

To be continued

(Excerpts from "Life and Letters of John Constable, R.A." by Charles Robert Leslie.)