Correspondence

2162.  RB to Eliot Warburton

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 11, 290.

New Cross, Hatcham, Surrey

Jany 6. 1846.

My dear Warburton,

I have been in a great strait since the month began—and only with hesitation and doubt do I bring myself to write to you now, when the deep & true sympathy of a comparative stranger like me, must be superfluous and may be intrusive. But, on the whole, I think that at no time,— and however preoccupied it may find you by your own sorrow, [1] —can so brief an expression as mine shall be, of sincere thanks and gratification—fail to meet a friendly reception. You have only been far too lenient in fault-finding and generous in praise-bestowing [2] —and both praise and blame, however inadequately mingled, I shall lay to heart and assuredly endeavour to profit by. At another time I shall hope to say more—for the pleasure you have given me will “keep”—and communicate itself better under more favourable auspices.

Pray believe me, my dear Warburton, yours ever

gratefully and faithfully,

R Browning.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Mrs. M.A. Dalgety.

1. The Times for 30 December 1845 had reported the death of Warburton’s father, George Warburton, aged 64. He had been Inspector-General of the Constabulary Force in Ireland.

2. i.e., in Warburton’s review of RB’s works in The English Review (for the text, see pp. 364–365).

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