1455. EBB to Richard Hengist Horne

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 8, 81.

[London]

Saturday. [9 December 1843] [1]

My dear Mr Horne, I send you ‘an opinion’ on Tennyson. [2] Use it or do not use it. He is a divine poet; but I have found it difficult (in the examination of my own thoughts of him) to analyse his divinity & to determine (even to myself) his particular aspect as a writer. What is the reason of it? It never struck me before. A true & divine poet nevertheless–

Have you a portrait of him? I hope so–

Ever yours

EBB–

Mrs Orme is better.

Publication: EBB-RHH, I, 199–200.

Manuscript: University of Virginia.

1. Dated by letter 1453, in which EBB promises “Tennyson this week,” and by letter 1456, in which Horne acknowledges receipt of her manuscript.

2. Horne cut up EBB’s manuscript and incorporated it into his own essay; the composite is still with this letter (see Reconstruction, D1374). See also Appendix IV, pp. 360–367.

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