Correspondence

2023.  EBB to Mary Russell Mitford

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 11, 63–64.

[London]

Saturday. [6 September 1845] [1]

Ever dearest Miss Mitford,

I am uneasy not to hear from you, yet really almost too restless & absorbed to write myself much. Let me hear how you are, .. will you? And then let me tell you briefly that my silence has come from a painful uncertainty, which is likely to terminate in my leaving England almost immediately for Italy .. there, to attempt to keep the strength I have gained, .. which I could not hope to do, through an English winter. I have seen Dr Chambers, .. & am acting by his advice. He thinks me considerably & essentially better, but warns me that all the good is likely to go if I neglect taking precautions, .. & thinks besides that the nervous system is shaken to the uttermost. He desires me to go by sea to Leghorn .. & to spend the winter in Pisa .. & promises all manner of good from it. And I am in spirits about myself .. only not in other ways ..: although I shall have some of my own family with me of course. And writing to tell you of this, my very dear friend, I beg you at the same time not to talk of it .. not to mention it .. because everything is uncertain yet: & I add another strange request .. but not strange, when you consider!.. which is, that you will not come to London! I cannot bear the leave-taking! Not that I am so very weak & low .. on the contrary I hope to the utmost about my mere self from this journey .. & Dr Chambers encouraged me by all ways & words .. and to escape from my prison here will be a gain past weighing ..! but I must keep up all my courage & be strong .. & I could not say a farewell to you & be unshaken in my heart.

Now, write & tell me how your rheumatism is!—& how you are in other respects.

I am ever your affectionate

EBB.

Publication: EBB-MRM, III, 137–138 (as [30 August 1845]).

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

1. Conjectural dating based on the reference to Dr. Chambers’s advice, given the previous Saturday, to spend the winter in Pisa.

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