2933. RB to Thomas Carlyle
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 17, 88–89.
L’s Inn Fds [1]
12½ Mg [29 July 1851] [2]
My dear Mr Carlyle,
I heard last night, to my joy, that we should see you at Mr Kenyon’s after all—but that did not alter my need of seeing you this morning: so I set out. But I have miscalculated distances in this great place, and reaching Forster’s this minute, as I had before engaged to do—he tells me to my surprise & vexation that I can’t get to you in time. Will you forgive my stupidity & accept my excuse. Forster is sure you will. So I will only think of the seeing you in a few more hours’ time.
With all regards to Mrs Carlyle,
Yours most faithfully
R Browning.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Jagiellonian Library.
1. Below this address Carlyle has written: “(Lincoln’s Inn Fields)”—presumably for the benefit of the German biographer Karl August Varnhagen von Ense (1785–1858) to whom he presented the letter and in whose papers it is preserved. Carlyle has also written a docket at the bottom of the second page: “Browning is a Poet (married also to a Poetess); a man of real genius, of whom more will perhaps be heard by and by. A native of London, age about 35; lived in Florence after his marriage; lives now (this winter) in Paris.” The editors gratefully acknowledge Catherine Heyrendt of the University of Reims, France, for bringing this letter to their attention.
2. Date provided by reference to letter 2932.
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