1556.4. John Kenyon to EBB
Addendum to The Brownings’ Correspondence, vol. 8.
[London]
[March 1844]
Dear E.B.B.
Yesterday I saw Moxon– He desires me to offer you this little book—which—yesterday at least—was not yet published. Now for the Book of Books! He would insist on it that the size of Tennyson’s and Milnes’s type was the same. But I made him see that Milnes’s was far more massive—and we must give our Statue no flimsy pedestal– We have agreed on Milnes’s type.
—Two Revises—do not omit to remention this when you write to M.—and state to him—par ecrit—anything you may particularly wish.
—Having three other volumes in the press—he will not promise in a month but he says—that if you will supply the proofs regularly—six weeks shall do the work. Your amaranths shall bloom out with the more perishable flowers of May.
Make haste then– It will be one—if not advantage—yet agreeable consequence of this forced haste that I cannot teize you with merely verbal alterations– There is buoyant stuff—I would fain believe—enough about you to float up more faults that you are likely to have–
But I wish to make one remark about my pet line—let it end with “my despair”—and a full stop. After such a line—speaker—as well as listener requires pause of thought and feeling. The cup of both is full.
“Proudest of Angels”—which follows is rather what should be said of a personage by another—not by a personage of himself– It would be rather “strutty”—I should feel—if you will let me coin a word– Now I will be bore you no more– Only write a “Yes or No (for my servant is prest for time[)]—to this question” Did I give you back your letter from Miss Martineau– Robinson says he returned it to me– I thought he had not–
Now make every use of me—six times a day if you like– I am always—almost—at home till one– Except that on Friday Morning next– I think of going out of town till Tuesday Morning– In haste yours
John Kenyon
Address, on integral page: Miss Barrett.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
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