1163. EBB to Mary Russell Mitford

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 6, 342.

[London]

Thursday. [early March 1843] [1]

Ever dearest Miss Mitford, do write to me if but a word,—just to say how you are. I have taken it into my head that you are not well, .. & Mr Haydon has put me into a fever by writing a note to me, in which he says that he has dreamt of you & me wearing golden crowns & bearing golden crooks & talking Greek in Arcadia! [2] And you laughed so in his dream that he was afraid of the omen! This has frightened [me] most absurdly perhaps—but do write.

Your ever affectte

EBB

Publication: EBB-MRM, II, 181.

Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.

1. Conjectural dating suggested by letter 1174 in which EBB writes: “I shall pass my days in Dreamland” (possibly alluding to Haydon’s dream), if not kept informed of Miss Mitford’s health.

2. A place of pastoral simplicity and happiness, the abode of Pan.

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