SD1272. Anna Brownell Jameson to Lady Noel Byron
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 14, 362 (in part).
Paris
Sep 22–23 [1846]
I begin a letter to you to be finished when & how it shall please heaven—all my proceedings depend on your next letter– I am awaiting it most anxiously—& the possibility that you may have cause for deep deep grief & pain, comes over me at times—like a cold blast—but my large hope prevails—I will hope till I hear from you—& I will not leave Paris if there be a possibility of my being of use or comfort to you–
In the mean time a piece of Romance has come across my life which I must tell you because it will also, in some cases—modify my plans[.] Robert Browning—my poet, is here—& with a wife he has run off with—& who, think you is this wife?—no other than Elizabeth Barrett—my poetess—a pretty pair to go thro this prosaic world together!—but there was nothing else to be done apparently—her life depended on her leaving England this winter—(at least all hope of health;)—her father would not hear of it—& Browning, in desperation—for he has long loved her, asserted the only right that could supersede that of a father—married her a week ago—& has brought her so far safely—but she has suffered much—she is nervous—frightened—ashamed[,] agitated[,] happy, miserable– I have sympathised, scolded[,] rallied, cried & helped—& now they want me to join them on the road to the South– I am quite willing to do so, for many reasons—but shall take no step till I hear from you and they will probably go on—while I am thus engaged Gerardine is gone to Versailles with Miss Taylor who has most kindly taken charge of her—& I am very glad to have her out of the way for the day– I began a letter just now to Miss My but have torn it in down [sic]– What are mere words of sympathy? & I can give no more—& she does not care enough for me to care for such words– They are not substantial to her—& I dont know why I should trouble her with them—but I do feel for her with all my heart– I hope she will be in England this winter—if not, tell me her line of road & let her know mine–
Wednesday– Madame Mojon is in Switzerland—every body seems absent from [Paris] that I most wish to see—& all libraries &c shut up for the present. Robert Browning & his wife are now under the same roof with me & have a nice apartment—she had a feverish desire to go on on—as if there was to be neither peace nor health till she was beyond the Alps—she is now better—more quiet—& willing to rest here a few days—rest is indeed most necessary for her– I am now waiting for the post very anxiously—if nothing comes for me I shall send this scribble that you may know what I am about, dear friend, besides thinking of you–
No letter—I have not seen the Miss Davisons but intend to call this Evening–
Ever yours, aj
Address, on integral page: The / Lady Noel Byron / Esher / Surrey / England.
Publication: The New Colophon, 1950, pp. 112–113.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
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