1437. Richard Hengist Horne to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 8, 52.
[London]
Monday Morng [20 November 1843] [1]
“Oh wise young Judge!” [2] is there no word of advice and counsel yet ready touching
The Pundit Landor?
Also, is Curiosity extinguished?
Monday Noon
I had written the above, but having delayed to post it, suddenly comes me in a packet of miscellaneous valuables (paper chiefly—well written upon, I mean, Lady) from the city, and forth I drew thy thoughts on Landor. [3]
Many thanks– I shall incorporate most of it with what I have already written. But Oh, E.B.B—you have totally forgotten his finest work! Don’t you know his “Examination of William Shakspere, touching Deer-stealing”! [4] Shall I lend you the book—a few weeks hence—I want it just now.
I do not forget my promise of choice of secret proofs for you to see– You only recollect—and not merely that, but you must not say to anybody that you have seen them. In four or five days.
Meantime, will you once more oblige me with an “Opinion” and let it be upon the Greeko-English tragedies of our learned friend Talfourd. His “Ion” and “Athenian Captive” chiefly. [5] If you have not got the books, nor can borrow them next door, let me know, and I will send them.
I cannot tell you how much service only a few sentences of ‘Opinion’ does me. If I “agree”—I go on with them; if not, they stir me up to go on.
Yours obliged
H.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. This letter follows no. 1434, in which Horne asked EBB to write on Landor.
2. The Merchant of Venice, IV, 1, 224.
3. As previously noted, fragments of EBB’s paper on Landor are listed in Reconstruction (D1310–13).
4. As Citation and Examination of William Shakspeare … Before the Worshipful Sir Thomas Lucy Knight Touching Deer-Stealing (1834) was published anonymously, EBB may have been unaware of Landor’s authorship.
5. EBB had read Ion (1836) “with much pleasure & admiration” (letter 516) and told Talfourd that The Athenian Captive (1838) had given her “true pleasure” (letter 642).
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