1844. RB to Frederick Oldfield Ward
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 10, 83.
New Cross, Hatcham, Surrey.
Feb 18. 1845.
My dear Ward,
I send you one poem [1] as long as the two I promised—(about 4 pages, I think) and I pick it out as being a pet of mine, and just the thing for the time—what with the Oxford business, and Camden society and other embroilments. [2]
I am very anxious to hear how Mr. H. is. Have you heard from Mr Procter? And did you re-consider the luckless Eothen matter? [3]
Ever yours
R Browning.
I shall be glad of proof & copy as soon as may be.
Publication: NL, pp. 35–36.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. “The Tomb at St. Praxed’s (Rome, 15___.)” was published in Hood’s Magazine for March 1845 (pp. 237–239).
2. RB doubtless refers to the Cambridge Camden Society, formed in 1839 by John Mason Neale (1818–66), later called The Ecclesiological Society. The Society had been called upon to dissolve itself as a result of the controversy that arose over the erection of a stone altar in the Round Church in Cambridge (see The Times for 17 February 1845 and The Athenæum for 22 February 1845, no. 904, p. 197). The “Oxford business” refers to the Oxford Movement led by Pusey and Newman.
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