3119. RB to William Charles Macready
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 18, 225.
58 Welbeck St Cavendish Sq.
Sept 23. ’52.
My dear Macready,
Pray forgive me for writing if it pains or troubles you, as it may, perhaps. How can I help telling you—tho’ in but a poor word or two—that I dare think I can sympathise with you—even in my infinitely removed degree—dare think I comprehend your loss, [1] having been taught by a loss of my own. [2] Those were happy days when I lived in such affectionate intimacy with your family: and if some few of the idler hopes of that time came to nothing, at least all the best & dearest memories of a friendship I prized so much remain fresh in my heart as ever [3] —else it would be too sad now. May God comfort you in this calamity. I will only say that I am, dear Macready,
Most affectionately yours
Robert Browning.
May I beg to be remembered to Miss Macready, [4] —and any with you who may not have forgotten me–
Docket, in recipient’s hand: October 6.
Publication: NL, p. 55.
Manuscript: Yale University.
1. Macready’s wife Catherine Frances Macready (née Atkins, d. 1852, aged 45) had died of tuberculosis on 18 September at Plymouth. Her death was announced in The Daily News and The Morning Chronicle of 22 September.
2. The death of his mother in 1849.
3. RB and Macready had not communicated since the spring of 1843 when they had quarrelled over the production of A Blot in the ’Scutcheon; see vol. 3, p. 319.
4. Letitia Margaret Macready (1794–1858), the actor’s sister, who resided with him.
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