2858. RB to Thomas Carlyle

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 16, 133–134.

Florence,

June 10, ’50.

My dear Sir,

It must be three years since a letter from you went straight to my heart– [1] I could not trust myself to answer it at the time: and of late many changes have happened. You know very well how happy & proud (for want of a better word) your friendship has made me,—how happy & proud. It will always seem, as it does now, enough to have lived for. And now, putting aside your friendship, which is too precious to be lightly appealed to,—may I ask a kindness of your good nature? A year ago, I had great pleasure in making the acquaintance of a very cultivated & interesting person,—Mr Story, an American; and I could find no better method of repaying him, than by engaging to make him know you, should he ever go to England. He is there for a very short while, and writes to remind me of my engagement. May I venture to hope that a very loveable and talented person may not fare the worse with you on account of this recommendation from

Dear Sir, Yours ever faithfully

and gratefully,

Robert Browning.

I shall take the occasion of offering my wife’s truest respects to you, and to Mrs Carlyle—whom she only knows thro’ me, yet seems to know well. Mr Story, I should not omit to say, has a very delightful wife. You understand that this little hurried scrap is no attempt (even) at a reply to your letter—but just meant for the specific purpose I mention. I will take heart & write ere very long.

Address, on integral page: Thomas Carlyle Esqre / Cheyné Row, Chelsea.

Publication: LRB, pp. 26–27.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. Letter 2682.

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