2688. EBB & RB to Richard Hengist Horne
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 14, 265–266.
| [In RB’s hand] | Florence, |
Aug. 1. ’47.
Dear Horne, I wish you joy with all my heart—and for all its oldfashionedness, I seem to invent the phrase while I write it– You wished me joy, in better words, and all you wished has come true, so true that I shall hope to be as lucky an augur in my turn. Was it not strange?—I carried my wife’s letter to you, with an added word from myself, to the post one morning, and then went duly to the News-room,—and the first glance at the “Times” [1] informed me of your altered way of life—it was too late to get the letter back, but you will have collected so much from its contents, no doubt. Dear Horne, I put you among the very few workers we have—your genius you did not give yourself—but you use it, turn it to account, as some men turn mere talent—though not with their reward, I am sure. I hope and will believe you have got a reward of your own kind now, and that only in this apparently indirect way, do “Orions” and “Cosmos” pay their pains– The effect of being away from England and in Florence is curious—the loose literature in one’s head settles fast, nothing stays that should not—but I often find, just when I want it, some grand, weighty line of yours—not to speak of general conceptions which also make themselves felt for true and complete– Now, don’t you let marrying spoil you any more than, God willing, it shall me– I shall never write without thinking you are across the sea to read and judge me—and do you always know there is one of your truest admirers .. not very far from another truest admirer—seeing that here is my wife waiting for her little space in this little letter–
And will you let me begin acquaintance with Mrs Horne on this auspicious ground and not another—of my admiration and friendship for her husband? She will let me tell her .. No, the absurdity! She has divined all I could tell her– God bless her and you, my dear Horne,—is the very truthful aspiration of
Ever Yours
R Browning.
[Continued by EBB]
My very warmest wishes & kindest thoughts, will you accept my dear friend, with those of another?– It was with true pleasure that I learnt from the newspaper, the fulfilment of the oracle you sent me last year, & which I scarcely dared (with all my inward comprehension) read aloud as I understood it when I wrote to you last. May you indeed be very, very happy, on the road where I [2] first learnt the meaning of the word happiness—in a complete sympathy & confidence– And will Mrs Horne be kindly prepared to acknowledge me one day as the true friend of both of you–?
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Address, in EBB’s hand, on integral page: R. H. Horne Esqre
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library, Michael Meredith Collection.
2. Underscored twice.
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