2879. EBB to Isa Blagden
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 16, 192–193.
Siena.
Sept 21– [1850] [1]
I was very glad to have your letter, my dear Miss Blagden, & much interested in what you said of your excursion to the monasteries. Oh—I hope to enjoy as much one day, for, after all, there is nothing like natural scenery for renewing you into your first elements & washing you clean of those conventionalities of life which are so much mud. The riding ‘alla forchetta’ [2] must have completed the adventure, I think,—& it must have been most enjoyable altogether.
With regard to Rome we wish we could give you fuller information than we can. I would willingly have written to Mrs Macpherson though I dont correspond with her, but Robert distrusts any conclusions she might arrive at about paper money—he thought it would be no use to write to her. Madme Braun was to return to Rome some time in September from London, but I dont imagine she can have arrived yet, or I might have applied to her– Robert’s opinion is, & he speaks quite decidedly, that the report you heard, & one I heard from a lady in Siena since we came here, is founded on a complete misapprehension, & that this paper-money is advantageous in the exchange to all persons who carry their own funds into Rome. You gain upon every napoleon, or zecchino, for instance. The disadvantage is on leaving Rome, but then you would of course prepare for the transition by spending your Roman money on the spot– The accounts of the banditti are certainly not encouraging .. in spite of which, I do wish we were going to Rome,—and, as I am afraid we shall not, shall I be selfish & wish that you may not, after all? Another winter at Florence would not be so very bad a thing, observe, and the banditti may have died out before next year comes–
You disconcerted us in our triumph at having found out so “very cool a place,” by your account of the cold at Florence. Italy is clearly bewitched this year as to climate– We have not however found fires necessary yet, I can assure you, & yesterday was rather too warm than otherwise. I am wonderfully well & strong—the change of air resuscitated me,—& for the last two or three days I have been able to walk a mile without too much fatigue. Then Baby has rose-coloured cheeks & a gigantic appetite, & we have just weaned him victoriously & finally. These advantages make us hesitate about returning to Florence at the end of the month as we intended. If the weather should remain fine, we may linger through another fortnight—it would be wise perhaps. Let us hear, if possible, that you do not meditate the Roman journey so early as to admit of the evil chance of our missing you. November is a better month for Rome, I imagine, than October is.
We are enjoying this beautiful country, & continue to like our villa though it is rather restricted as to size. Baby makes friends with all the peasants, and thinks it would be delightful, if we did’nt spoil everything & prevent his eating all the grapes & apples & pears & blackberries in all the vineyards & lanes. They might make amends for the balia, if we did’nt, he thinks–
I heard yesterday that Tennyson’s new wife has “the sweetest voice ever listened to.”
Here is Robert waiting to go to Siena & asking for my note!– He unites with me in every sort of kind & warm sympathy & thought & wish to you,
and let me always be
your affectionate
Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Publication: Edward C. McAleer, “New Letters from Mrs. Browning to Isa Blagden,” PMLA, 66 (1951), 594–595.
Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.
1. Year based on EBB’s reference to the weaning of Pen.
2. “Like a fork”; i.e., “astraddle.”
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