2837. EBB to Isa Blagden

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 16, 85–86.

Casa Guidi.

Tuesday morning. [?19 March] [1850] [1]

I return the Athenæums, with the books, dear Miss Blagden, & thank you much for much pleasure. Shirley is very clever,—not as interesting to me as Jane Eyre was, but better written,—& if less spontaneous in its character yet giving proof of more cultivation & experience in composition. We are delighted with the Caxtons—a beautiful, & high toned book indeed!

Many sincere thanks to you for all this pleasure! And for the “mistake” on Sunday, I suppose we are to thank the stars for that, as you wont let us look upon the prolongation of your visit as the fruit of your own goodwill.

Believe me

very truly yours

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.

1. Conjecturally dated based on EBB’s references to Shirley and The Caxtons, both of which she mentions, along with her first meeting with Isa Blagden, in the preceding letter.

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