1831. RB to Frederick Oldfield Ward
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 10, 58–59.
New Cross, Hatcham.
Friday Mg [7 February 1845] [1]
My dear Ward,
I have turned over and over in my mind the ways of going to work with Mr Kinglake [2] so as to give you a reasonable chance of success. Altho’ I have met him in society from time to time some years past, and once spent five or six days in his company at a friend’s house in the country, I don’t even know his town-address. But I will call on Mr Procter, thro’ whom I knew him originally, and who, for many reasons, is the likely goer-between, if one there needs be; and will say your say, and my own, of course. [3] Still, if I am not very much out, the best proceeding would be for yourself to write, ex officio, describing poor Mr Hood’s state,—for that made me break a rule I had kept these ten years: and if that does not induce him to help you, nothing I could have a right to say,—will.
I know so little of his working-day life that I have no business to fear, even, what I cannot but fear .. that the law must and will have him. But try!
Why not ask Mr Procter to send something, by the bye?
For me, if you can let me have four or five pages, I will dispatch two of my new Lyrics—(two for the same number, because one will be a somewhat startling affair, and the other must contrast—and show by its opposite tone that I speak dramatically in both cases.) [4]
Ever yours faithfully,
R Browning–
Best remembrances to Mr Bonomi [5] and any other member of our pleasant symposium the other night: when the weather mends, I shall try and persuade you to defy distance and come here, under my chestnut-tree, over the pond, by the cowhouse, under the garden-wall yonder– “I hope here be truths!” [6]
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. This letter precedes 1838, in which RB says he has called on Procter.
2. Alexander William Kinglake (1809–91). The occasion mentioned here by RB is presumably the one referred to in letter 1838. Apparently Ward also asked Milnes to approach Kinglake about a contribution, but Kinglake was reluctant to provide literary assistance for fear of the effect it might have on his career; however, he offered to provide money which could be used to buy articles which Hood would not have to know were not contributed. See T.W. Reid, The Life, Letters, and Friendships of Richard Monckton Milnes, First Lord Houghton (1890), 1, 347–348.
3. Verses by Procter appear in volume 1 (January–June 1844) of Hood’s Magazine, but nothing thereafter.
4. Unidentified, as they were not sent. Instead RB submitted “The Tomb at St. Praxed’s (Rome, 15___.)” which was published in Hood’s Magazine for March 1845 (pp. 237–239)
5. Probably Joseph Bonomi (1796–1878) a sculptor and illustrator known for his contributions to works associated with Egypt.
6. Measure for Measure, II, 1, 127 (see letter 1926, note 10).
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