2129. RB to Eliza Flower

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 11, 226.

[London]

Sunday. [7 December 1845] [1]

Dear Miss Flower,

I was very foolishly surprized at the sorrowful finical notice you mention: foolishly; for, God help us, how else is it with all critics of everything—don’t I hear them talk and see them write? I dare-say he admires you as he said.

For me, I never had another feeling than entire admiration for your music—entire admiration—I put it apart from all other English music I know, and fully believe in it as the music we all waited for.

Of your health I shall not trust myself to speak: you must know what is unspoken. I should have been most happy to see you if but for a minute—and if next Wednesday, I might take your hand for a moment.—

But you would concede that, if it were right, remembering what is now very old friendship.

May God bless you for ever [2]

Text: Orr, p. 126.

1. Dated by reference to the “finical notice,” in The Examiner for 6 December 1845, of the performance of Eliza Flower’s music on 22 November; a second performance was given on 10 December.

2. According to Mrs. Orr, the signature has been excised.

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