2619. Emily Fitz-Roy Palmer to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 14, 7–8.
6. Western Cottages.
25 Sept [1846] [1]
My dear Friend.
Allow me sincerely to congratulate you on your marriage, and to express the hope that by
“The Bridegroom of Heaven.
To Thee, now a Bride, His best blessing be given.”– [2]
My first intimation of the happy event was by “The Daily News”– If you did not like to tell me yourself, I think our mutual friend, dear Fanny [3] might have told me, that I might have had the opportunity of offering you some testimony of my regard & affection– My Mother also joins in cordial wishes for your happiness, and we do trust that in your new sphere, renovated health & strength may be your appointed portion.
In the midst of all the joy & happiness that surrounds you, may I request the favor of an occasional kind thought towards an admiring and affectionate friend like myself. And if you would not think it an intrusive impertinence, will you allow me to offer my compliments to Mr Browning, & believe me to remain
Yr obliged & affectionate
E. F. R. Palmer– [4]
Address, on integral page: Mrs Robert Browning / Obliged by Miss Barrett. [5]
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
1. Year based on internal reference to the Brownings’s recent marriage.
2. Cf. Legh Richmond, “A Widowed Mother’s Address to Her Daughter, on the Day of Her Marriage,” lines 7–8 (A Memoir of the Rev. Legh Richmond, 1828, p. 361).
3. Unidentified; but possibly Fanny Dowglass.
4. Emily Fitz-Roy Palmer (1815?–53), youngest daughter of the Rev. Henry Palmer (1781–1815), of Ore, Sussex, and his wife Harriet Louisa (née Gason, 1786–1860). Her address is given as 6 Western Cottages, Brighton, in the subscribers list of Clotilda Sisted’s Bye-Ways of Italy (1845).
5. Presumably EBB’s sister Henrietta. The original letter was in the possession of Henriett’s great-granddaughter; so we conclude that it was not forwarded to Italy and that its contents were relayed to EBB in one of Henrietta’s letter.
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