Correspondence

1632.5.  RB to Frederick Oldfield Ward

Addendum to The Brownings’ Correspondence, vol. 9.

New Cross,

Monday. [17 June 1844] [1]

My dear Ward,

I would with pleasure do as you ask—and meant to have done so—but the rather sudden death of a relative has so multiplied the calls on my time this week as to render it impossible. Please do as you can with what you have—“scantiest,” if you like, but a dactyl there must be—or change the line—thus,

And danced off the Ballet in trowsers and tunic.

(Do this—which is best.)

I hope sincerely that Mr Hood continues to recover health– More anon from,—

yours ever

faithfully,

R Browning.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. Date provided by RB’s reference to the death of William Silverthorne, which occurred on 16 June 1844.

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