3291. EBB to Sarianna Browning
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 20, 1–2.
[Rome]
[Postmark: 28 November 1853]
My dearest Sarianna, you will know by Robert what an abyss of misery we have fallen into by our first step into Rome. What a Rome it seems to me! a city of tombs indeed! And poor little Edith is not quite as well today—the fever fluctuates. The maid [1] too is worse– Still, I cannot believe that Edith will be taken—that would be such extraordinary chastisement! [2] Also, the medical men have good hopes. They assure us, Sarianna, that there is no possibility of contagious effects .. for I have been thinking of Penini & of Robert too– It is simply gastric fever, from some coup de vènt [3] in this frightful climate, .. which I call frightful because really I am frightened at it just now—& who can wonder? Give me dear Florence, I say, where one may open a window after sunset, & run in the morning, without risk of life!– For the rest, I have scarcely felt warm since I came here– It is very cold, the soul making the body cold, & the tramontana prevailing. There now!– I could only groan to you today! & I have done my best at my groaning!——
We had however (it all looks like a dream from where we are) <a> most delightful journey: scarcely ever have I enjoyed any so much. I almost think I should like to travel the world, round & round, just as we did– Penini was, as he said, .. “warm as a lion, and alive as a nosegay” all the way. Never was such a radiant child. He made friends at every inn we stopped at, talking Italian, like the born Tuscan he is, & sitting in the coupé “to be a toashman (coachman) with “mine Ferdinando,” by way of change of scene. When we left Casa Guidi he called from the vettura-window—“Portiere, non perdere mia roba”. [4] His “roba”, consisting of various toys in a state of natural decadency, was in fact a very important matter to look after. Oh—Sarianna—I have no heart to go on to speak of him—to tell you how prettier & prettier the child grows .. & how dearer & dearer!– See by what a slender thread we hold these treasures of our lives!——
I wont forget to tell you that you quite misapprehend the state of things at the Marstons. Just before leaving Florence I had a long letter from Mr Marston detailing the whole course of their experience. He, as well as she, is a medium—& their experience being entirely objective .. i.e. consisting of facts, of which indifferent persons may be witnesses & judges .. cannot be attributed to an insane or an anyway peculiar state of mind, as you deal with subjective experiences. I will show you the letter, & you will agree with me (& with Robert) that it is deeply interesting, with every sign on it of a manly candour as well as veracity .. for he sets up no theory .. he simply tells you the facts. It is natural enough that she shd shrink from a discussion of the subject with persons inclined to any degree of scepticism. It must be a sacred subject to her while she believes herself to be in full communication with departed child & mother. [5] E Flower announced herself uncalled, unthought of—& at that moment neither Robert nor I was at the table. [6] He is convinced that no false play was used by anybody—— Well!—what follows? To me, the disbelief of men is more wonderful than the access of spirits. But more will be known of these things.
Robert comes up stairs to say that Edith seems better again. I pray God to shine through all this storm with the shining of His omnipotent love! The darkness would be too bewildering!– Poor darling Robert has been devoting himself with heart & hand—& the heart[’]s was the harder labour, as you may suppose. God bless you dearest Sarianna! I hope we may be less sad when you get this letter. We are very sad now. They write from London in the midst of a “yellow fog”—cant see without a candle at noonday. Penini is in the bloom of his little rose-life– So well he looks!—such cheeks & eyes!– Let the dear Nonno [7] take care of himself, thinking of you & him .. & us!–
Your <ever> attached Ba–
Address, on integral page: à Mademoiselle / Mademoiselle Browning / chez M. Byrne. / Avenue des Champs Elysées. 138– / Paris.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Lilly Library.
1. In letter 3299, EBB identifies her as an English nurse named Jane, probably Jane Cartwright (b. 1834?). She appears in the Story party on a passenger list for the steamer America, sailing from Liverpool to Boston in October 1850.
2. In the following letter, EBB describes the death of Joseph Story (1847–53), which occurred at Rome on 23 November.
3. “Sudden gale”; or “gust of wind.”
4. “Porter, don’t lose my things.”
5. Elizabeth Potts; see letter 3253, note 7. The “child” was the Marston’s little girl, Florence Louisa (1847–51); see letter 2952, note 3.
7. “Grandfather.”
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