Correspondence

1106.  RB to Thomas Powell

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 6, 256.

Hatcham,

Saturday Mg [ca. 1843] [1]

Dear Mr Powell,

Every body was out, to every body’s grief, when Mrs P. called yesterday: the accompanying note is from my Sister—and I take the opportunity of sending back the Lexicon with many thanks,—(I shall one time or other venture to beg a single day’s loan of your priceless old Withers, [2] —to refresh the fading memories of my very earliest youth).

My sister tells me you go to Croydon—is that so?– Because, our Railway is puffing & panting that way till a late hour—and we may hope to have you here some evening early. What do you say?

Ever yours very truly,

Robt Browning.

My Father has gone, I find, & left the Lexicon—which I will send on Monday. My best regards to Mrs Powell.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Berg Collection.

1. Dated approximately by the handwriting and form of signature.

2. George Wither or Withers (1588–1667), poet and pamphleteer, whose works included Fidelia (1615) and Faire-Virtue, the Mistresse of Philarete (1622).

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