Correspondence

5089.5. RB to Lady Dufferin

Addendum to The Brownings’ Correspondence, vol. 30.

19 Warwick Crescent,

Harrow Road.

June 20th, 1862.

Dear Lady Dufferin, [1]

I should like to tell you at once, why I shall be unable to go to you on the day you mention;—the worst day of my life was then, last year. There will be other Saturdays, and your goodness will last, and so my pleasures continue.

I know the little fellow [2] did enjoy himself last week—he said so yesterday:—all thanks to you!

But I have wronged him terribly I find, in calling him by a name, discarded for two good reasons; he figures to posterity as “Benson” after his maternal grandmother: as may be communicated to Debrett should occasion occur.

Faithfully yours ever

Robert Browning.

Publication: None traced.

Source: Transcript at Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.

1. Hariot Georgina Hamilton-Blackwood (née Rowan-Hamilton, 1843–1936), wife of Frederick Temple Hamilton-Blackwood (1826–1902), 6th Baronet Blackwood, of Ballyleidy, Knight; later (1872), Frederick Temple Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava.

2. Presumably Alessandro, an Italian childhood friend of Pen, visiting his grandmother at Highgate. See letter 4108, note 4.

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