167. Thomas Campbell to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 164–165.
30 Foley Place Portland Chapel — [London]
Aug: 28 1822.
Madam
I should have answer’d your letter sooner but I have been unwell & very much occupied– It certainly would be very unhandsome on my part to refuse a dedication from a lady and from one who offers me so flattering an expression of her literary estimation [1] —but as you ask also my opinion of the composition I will give you my opinion frankly for the very reason that your addressing me with confidence inspires me with a real kind wish that my advice may contribute to your happiness & not to the contrary.– I would advise you to pause at least & to consult some other literary person with whom you can have more immediate discussion about the merits of the piece than with my self before you publish it—at least with your name– The voice of public criticism is hard & the poem is open to many objections– It bespeaks an amiable heart & an elegant mind—but it is the work of an inexperienced imagination & though the versification & expression are such as should make me very loth to exhort you to give up poetical composition Yet I should decieve you if I anticipated the story & main effect of the poem being likely to be popularly admired– I have marked one or two passages to which I particularly object – I object in general to its lyric intermixtures– They are the most difficult of all gems to set in a Narrative poem & should always be of the first water.——
I should be heartily sorry if this unsparing criticism were to damp your poetical hopes & ambition– It is with no such intention that I comply with your request to give my judgement of this work– And rationally taken my opinion if it were of more weight than it is ought not to depress you– I am accustomed to applications of the kind & nine times out of ten decline them from a fear of discouraging an inexperienced author who may not have sense to distinguish my motive for sincerity– Something in your letter gives me an idea that you are not of this injudicious order of literary consulters– I determined therefore to answer your note– And though it might look more like gallantry & good nature to encourage you to speedy publication yet in reality if I should mislead you by false hopes I should be acting a very unmanly & cruel part.– Give me leave at the same time to assure you that unless the perusal of your composition had given me a personal interest in you I should not risque that appearance of arrogance and severity which advice of this complexion is so apt to bear however kindly it may be meant— I trust you will believe you have a
sincere & respectful well wisher
in
Thos Campbell
Address, on integral page: Miss Elizth B. Barrett / Hope End / Ledbury——
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: National Library of Scotland.
1. A manuscript title-page including a dedication is at the Armstrong Browning Library. It reads “Leila, / A Tale: / with other Poems. / … / To / Thomas Campbell Esqr. / as a humble tribute / of respect for his genius, / and gratitude for his kindness, / the following pages are inscribed, by / his obliged Servant / The Author.” It is followed by a preface commencing “In opening the little volume, which so humbly solicits his clemency, the Critic must not expect …” The work was first printed in 1913. (See Reconstruction, D459–460.)
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