3383. EBB to Mary Thompson
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 20, 179.
43 Via Bocca di Leone
Tuesday– [?11] [April 1854] [1]
My dear Mrs Thompson [2]
I should be calling upon you instead of writing—but you will understand how a multitude of engagements have siezed me on my first step out of prison– Now I do not write to make excuses for myself, however,—only to ask your charity & ‘largesse’– Have you such a thing, you who have children, as a few children’s books infantine enough to suit the understanding of my child, and would you be so very kind as to lend me one or two of such? He is not quite well, & Pantaleoni bids him remain very quiet .. the most difficult thing in the world to a child of his vivacity. If I had something to read to him we might attain our ends—so I thought of you & your customary good nature to me. To get a child’s book in Rome (except by such help) would be a miracle worthy of a Romish saint–
Most truly yours
Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Penini is to be well in a few days, we are promised– It is only an irritation of the stomach.
Address: Mrs Thompson / Palazzo Fiano / Via in Lucina 17.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: University of Texas.
1. Conjectural dating based on EBB’s references to “a multitude of engagements” and to Pen’s illness. He began to have stomach problems about the 8th of April, and the Brownings were much occupied during Holy Week (see letter 3387).
2. Mary Gouverneur Thompson (née Ogden, 1822–95), wife of Cephas Giovanni Thompson (1809–88), American artist; see letter 3266, note 3.
___________________
