1566. RB to Christopher Dowson, Jr.
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 8, 252–253.
| (Private.) | New Cross, |
March 10. [1844] [1]
My dear Dowson,
You may remember I told you my appointment with C. Kean had been for that morning (Monday)—and then stood over for the next Saturday (yesterday)—but that, having made an effort and ended work the evening I saw you, I meant to call on Kean the following morning:—I did so; but in consequence of my letter, received the day before, his arrangements were made for the week– So that till Saturday the business had to wait. Yesterday I read my play to him and his charming wife (who is to take the principal part) [2] —and all went off au mieux [3] —but—he wants to keep it till “Easter next year”—and unpublished all the time!– His engagement at the Haymarket next May, is merely for twelve nights, he says:—he leaves London for Scotland to-morrow or next day—and will be occupied for ten hours a day till he returns—my play will take him two months at least to study, he being a ’special slowhead—and after the Haymarket engagement, nothing is to be done till this time next year. —Of all which notable pieces of information I was apprised for the first time after the play was read and approved of .. for, it certainly never entered into my mind that anybody, even an actor, could need a couple of months to study a part, only, in a piece, which I could match with such an other in less time by a good deal.
But, though I could do such a thing, I have a head,—that aches oftener now than of old,—to take care of; and, therefore, will do no such thing as let this new work lie stifled for a year and odd,—and work double-tides to bring out something as likely to be popular this present season—for something I must print, or risk the hold; such as it is, I have at present on my public; and, on consideration of the two other productions I have by me in a state of forwardness, [4] neither seems nearly so proper for the requirements of the moment, as this play—and two or three hundred pounds will pay me but indifferently for hazarding the good fortune which appears slowly but not mistakeably setting in upon me, just now. You will not wonder, therefore, that—tho’ I was so far taken by surprise as to promise Kean a copy for Scotland and a fortnight’s grace, to come to terms in, before I either published the play or accepted any other party’s offer– I say, you will not wonder if I have determined to print it directly (acting on the best advice, I sent it to press yesterday) [5] and merely put the right of the acting at his disposal—if he will purchase it with such a drawback <as Macready would.>: [6] for I fear the only other alternative I shall allow—that of his getting up the part for next May, is quite beyond his power. The poorest Man of letters (if really of letters) I ever knew, is of far higher talent than the best actor I ever expect to know: nor is there one spangle too many, one rouge-smutch too much on their outside-man—for the inward .. can’t study a speech in a month! God help them, and bless you, My dear Dowson, says & prays,
Yours
RB
I will communicate the end of this matter when I know it.
Address, on integral page: Christopher Dowson Jr Esq. / 3. Albion Terrace, / Commercial Road, / Limehouse.
Publication: LRB, pp. 9–10.
Manuscript: British Library.
1. Year provided by postmark.
2. Ellen Kean (née Tree, 1805–80) acted frequently with her husband, but they never produced, or acted in, Colombe’s Birthday, which had to wait until 1853 for its first stage performance. Writing to Buxton Forman on 2 July 1877, RB said that the Keans “would have acted the play—but in perhaps two or three years to come, and in the meantime I was to keep it unprinted—an arrangement which did not suit me—whereupon I withdrew it, and included it in my Bells and Pomegranates.”
3. “At best; well.”
4. RB probably refers to Dramatic Romances and Lyrics and A Soul’s Tragedy.
5. Parenthetical passage is interpolated between lines. On 20 April 1844 Moxon announced the play as “just published.”
6. Bracketed passage is interpolated.
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