5689. RB to Isa Blagden
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 42–43.
[London]
[19 January 1866] [1]
<***> their continuance at Florence to be impossible, I do not propose a sacrifice useless to us both, such as a money-gift would be.
I leave myself no room, dearest Isa, to speak of your first letter. You have told me all,—most satisfactorily. It is enough that the little I could do is such as, on the whole, to seem well done to one like you. It never entered my head to try and produce something worthy of Her: I should even object to going to any serious expense which (in my case) must be taken from funds that are wanted for other objects herself had at heart. Thus much I could do, and it is done,—that is a comfort. [2] I read the material part of your note to Leighton who was much gratified at it: he believes there is nothing to fear from exposure to the weather. What is this I hear about Lady Eastlake ascertaining that the ground would probably be built over in twenty years,—which she gives as a reason for having disinterred her husband’s body. [3] I knew that the cemetery would be enclosed within the walls soon—but is it possible that such a dishonesty can be intended as an appropriation of the ground we have all paid for,—(and exorbitantly, I am told). I will not believe in such an outrage till I am forced to do so: what do you hear, what does Cottrell say on the subject?
Goodbye, dearest Isa,—
Ever affectionately yours
Robert Browning.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Lilly Library.
1. Date based on RB’s reference to Lady Eastlake (see note 3 below) and on letter 5711 (his next letter to Isa), in which he writes of his relief that the Protestant Cemetery will remain open.
2. RB refers to the monument over EBB’s grave in the Protestant Cemetery.
3. Sir Charles Lock Eastlake (1793–1865), President of the Royal Academy and first director of the National Gallery, died at Florence on 24 December and was buried three days later in the Protestant Cemetery. After the burial, Mrs. Eastlake received an offer from the Royal Academy to re-inter the body in England. She at first declined the offer, but “it having been intimated to her that the cemetery at Florence would shortly be required for building purposes, rendered necessary by the proposed enlargement of the city,” she accepted (The Times, 15 January 1866, p. 5). Eastlake was re-buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, London, on 18 January 1866.
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