Correspondence

1115.  EBB to Mary Russell Mitford

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 6, 269–270.

[London]

Jany. 5. 1843–

My beloved friend I write in the greatest haste rather than not write at all—for I wd not have you look grave [‘]‘with curiously devised fables” [1] in interpreting my silence. My beloved friend, you are absolutely right in accepting the assistance you require. I had hoped that you wd not have required it—because I preferred your pleasure & satisfaction to that of your friends, or my own. But since it is requisite, & the present need presses on you, there can be no want of nobleness, no descent from those high parts of your character which it is my delight to recognize, to accept this money as frankly as it is offered to you [2] —remembering after all, that you have done more good by both literature & example, to the world,—than the world in its most liberal mood, can render back to you.

Can you tell me anything—even without details—of where the subscriptions will be received? But I shall hear perhaps from Mr Kenyon. I think, from certain words that dropped from Mr Kenyon lately, that he had a foreknowledge of this proposal. I hope so—for I shall respect & better esteem everybody who by word or deed has assisted to forward it–

I accept your ring, my beloved friend, with touched & grateful feelings—& will wear it for your sake, & value it while I live for the same–

But this is all I can say–

It is late– If you have not sent to Wittaker, [3] wd it not be better to give the matter pause, at least until we hear what Mr Chorley says? Thank you, thank you! May God bless you continually.

Your attached

EBB–

Flush is quite well again. Was he hysterical, do you think? [4]

Publication: EBB-MRM, II, 147–148.

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

1. Cf. II Peter, 1:16.

2. A public subscription to alleviate Miss Mitford’s financial straits had been proposed by some of her friends; the formal announcement was not made until the middle of February.

3. Miss Mitford had suggested approaching George B. Whittaker as a possible publisher for EBB’s projected volume of poems (see letter 1110).

4. In letter 1113, EBB had reported that Flush had screamed and shrieked at intervals.

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