5749. RB to Samuel Laurence

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 80.

19 Warwick Crescent,

Upper Westbourne Terrace, W.

May 3. ’66.

My dear Sir, [1]

I shall have pleasure in sitting to you whenever you please to appoint,—rather in the afternoon than the morning, if your arrangements permit. I can do this now—but may be less at liberty soon.

Very faithfully yours

Robert Browning.

S. Laurence Esq–

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. Samuel Laurence (1812–84), portraitist. His portrait in oil of RB was presumably all but completed by the end of the year. In March of 1869, RB sat for him again—apparently for the purpose of applying finishing touches in anticipation of that year’s Royal Academy exhibition, where it was shown. The portrait is reproduced facing p. 272.

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