2248. RB to Archer Thompson Gurney
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 12, 144–145.
[London]
Tuesday, March 10. [1846] [1]
My dear Gurney,
When I received the Review [2] I could not so far deny myself as only write back my extreme gratification at both articles without putting into immediate exercise the right you had given me a week before of mentioning the day you were to give us the great pleasure of your company—and all kinds of hindrances were in the way, old engagements and fresh ones—so at last March finds you unthanked,—that is, audibly or visibly—and me no nearer my promised pleasure than a month ago. But your kind note now only prevents one of mine by a day or two. So first, I return your number—with the truest acknowledgments—both pieces are admirably written, and the one which more immediately concerns me is amends for a great, great deal of the ordinary measure dealt out to the book since its appearance ten years back; whether of praise or blame. As I have, I think, said before, or, certainly, often thought—you have been my very kindest of critics, and I hope & trust your kindli-[ness] may be returned to you on occasion.
And now may I simply say that next week all my days are open except Tuesday & Saturday? Because, of the delight your visit would .. let me say will .. give us, I need not speak. Will you fix your own hour, too,—an early one? All here unite in best regards with yours ever.
RB.
May I ask for an early note to tell me, and keep off other appointments?
Publication: LRB, pp. 12–13.
Manuscript: Yale University.
1. The year is provided by RB’s reference to a visit from Gurney for the following week, which is mentioned in letter 2260.
2. The two “pieces” mentioned by RB below were, according to Gertrude Reese Hudson, reviews in The Theologian by Gurney. In the June 1845 issue Gurney reviewed RB’s Paracelsus (see Robert Browning’s Literary Life, Austin, Texas, 1992, pp. 253 and 605). For the full text of this review, see vol. 10, pp. 394–396. Mrs. Hudson suggests that the other piece was a notice of Thomas Powell’s poetry in the October issue, which briefly discusses Christian influence in some of RB’s poems (see Hudson, pp. 605–606).
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