3153. EBB to Isa Blagden
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 18, 292–293.
Florence–
Decr 24th– [1852] [1]
Dearest Isa I take this fine paper [2] to write to you on, because it’s the nearest, & I am lazy today more than usual .. which is wonderful, you will say. I was delighted to have your letter & answer it instantly, so as not to miss you at Lyons– [3] Be warned in time against the Mont Cenis. That route was nearly the death of me, & although you have none of you perhaps the same susceptibility of lungs, you may suffer in other respects. The cold from Chambery onwards, to say nothing of the Alps themselves, was intolerable, when we passed that way,—&, to give you an idea of the fatigue, (should you determine to go by diligence) we were three nights without taking off our clothes– I had to be laid up at Genoa, where we remained ten days,—& deep was our repentance for having taken the route in question– If you take a vettura, you need not travel by night, certainly, but you will be longer on the road, & the accommodation is very inferior– No—I counsel you earnestly to proceed to Marseilles & take the Nice road, if you dont decide on the sea– The scenery is exquisite, you know.
So glad we shall be to see you– Come to Florence, if possible– An arrangement after the fashion you propose for Rome, would be very acceptable to us,—only our plans about Rome remain as vague as possible—only, that we shall go to Rome .. in March, if not before, .. is a fixed thing, unless some unimagined obstacle surprise us– In the event of our not letting our house, there is an œconomy as well as pleasure in lingering on here—I do love Florence– Then the Roman season, as we understand from the Legation here, (one of the Attachés being still in Rome) h<as> been peculiarly unhealthy,—and, our treasure of a Peninni having had the chicken pox lately, I am more than commonly afraid of exposing him to any chances of an unfavorable kind. Come, & let us talk it over– Oh, it would be abominable of you not to come to Florence—do come. The weather has been exquisite, & I have recovered all my Italian advantages .. that is, have all but lost my cough–
The proposition to Mr Jago was certainly most extravagant, & nobody who was’nt a quack & a swindler (both at once I mean) could possibly have accepted it– [4] Well– I am sorry for your interesting charge, [5] & I do hope & trust the fatigue of the journey may not exceed her strength– You have accepted a heavy responsibility, generous & good as you are, dear Isa, & I shall be very anxious that it may not bring pain to you .. you, who do not calculate for yourself.
You are aware perhaps that Mr Lytton is here, as attaché to the embassy. He comes to us sometimes in the evening, & we both like him extremely. Did you hear from his father that the Rapping spirits are actually imported to Knebworth? If so, I hope you will tell me whatever you have heard besides.
If Charlotte Agassiz is not with you, I shall set her down as one more traitor to Italy– She would’nt come with us, .. would’nt come with you—somebody must be holding her in England. If she is with you, on the other hand, give her my love, & say how glad I am– Now, goodbye—God bless you– Be warned off the Mont Cenis!– Robert’s love with that of your truly affectionate friend
E B Browning
Publication: B-IB, pp. 23–25.
Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.
1. Year derived from EBB’s reference to Pen’s being ill with chicken pox, which she mentioned in letter 3151.
2. The stationery is wove paper, with die-cut rounded edges.
3. Isa was en route to Italy, having left England earlier in the month.
4. EBB describes this proposition in letter 3159.
5. Louisa Alexander; see letter 3076, note 4.
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