3133. EBB to Camilla Toulmin Crosland
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 18, 241–242.
London.
Saturday– [9 October 1852] [1]
My dear Mrs Crosland I was just about to write to you when I received your note– Dear Mrs Crosland, the obstacle to receiving you & your friend Miss Clarke, [2] is simply that I shall not be in England at the time you mention—we go to Paris at five oclock on monday morning. Week after week, I and my husband have talked of arranging to go to you,—& something always interfered: indeed, as soon as my maid returned, my cough returned, & I have been lately very uncomfortable through our too late lingering in this cold bitter England– You are all very kind here—& really there is a need for kindness, or the very heart would freeze & shiver with the rest.
I return, by the parcel-delivery company, your ‘companions,’ [3] with a great many thanks.
Will you say to Miss Clarke that I do hope some day to catch back in the rebound, the chance I am forced to throw from me now, of seeing her—will you tell her this?– The Americans wander about the world a good deal, just as I do—and we may meet in desert or city—who knows?
Dear Mrs Crosland, remember us till next year, when we shall come again & hope to see more of you– Robert’s best regards–
Most truly & warmly yours
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. Dated by EBB’s reference to the Brownings’ departure from England. They left on 12 October 1852; the preceding Saturday was the 9th.
2. Sara Jane Clarke; see letter 3075, note 11.
3. Issues of The Ladies’ Companion that EBB had requested earlier; see letter 3111, note 2.
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