3359. RB to William Wetmore Story
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 20, 140–141.
Rome,
Saturday, March 18. [1854] [1]
My dear Story,
I have just seen Dr P: there is barely time to write the essential thing, the duplicate of his note to you—for I prefer writing both to Albano & Velletri, fearing the negligence of the postmaster. He says, then—“The attack of the liver-jaundice has always been the consequence of the ague, and one form of it in the last three attacks that poor Edith had. Quinine, or any other means it [2] could be resorted to to stop the ague, it was [3] the best cure for the jaundice also and hepatic colic. I apprehended a return of ague the Monday last when I saw the child, and I am quite sure that she has not taken quinine as I ordered—no ague nor jaundice nor hepatic cholic would then have followed. As it is impossible to go on for ever with quinine, the child ought to be moved to a country where there are no miasmas or ague to apprehend: she ought to have started three days before and travelled quickly as I proposed,—now, I would take her as soon as possible posting to Naples, or go to Civitavecchia and Genoa, but lose no time. D. Pantaleoni.”
I could not add a word to this if I had even the time– You must know how entirely we feel for you and grieve over this disaster. P. lays great stress on his opinion that quinine keeps off all liver attacks & ague—that, had Edie taken the doses of it he prescribed, she would have recovered sufficiently to render the leaving Rome unnecessary– You have done all—or meant all—for the best, I am sure. It is sad to wish so much and to be able to do so little. But pray write and relieve our anxiety. Of course, bid me do anything & it shall be done.
Ba’s kindest love & sympathy with mine to you both,—dear friends.
Evers yours affectionately
RB
Address, on integral page: All’Illustrsso Signore / Sigr Story, / Alla Locanda “La Posta” / Albano.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. Year provided by postmark.
2. Above “it” RB has written “he means that.”
3. Above “it was” RB has written “would be.”
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