3418. EBB to Mary Brotherton
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 20, 218–219.
[Rome]
[mid-May 1854] [1]
My dear Mrs Brotherton,
We are going to Florence, but if we go by vettura we shall occupy the whole ourselves—we had to resist the pleasure of having Mrs Kemble with us on that ground– I know of nobody with vettura-intentions at present– Have you never thought of taking the diligence to Sienna? For two persons it would be cheaper & quicker, if you can bear the fatigue of twenty eight successive hours– I could—but I hesitate a little still about my child. Certainly if we should hear anything in the shape of a possible combination that would suit you, we will let you know—but .. see how it is!—we are almost the last of the Romans even now–
I repent in dust & ashes [2] for having kept the Athenæum [3] so long– Is that the reason why you would not let me see the Guardian? We should both like to see it indeed. As to Mr Westwood’s shake of the head .. it’s a shake of the head .. that’s all. I care for heads, when they are wise .. but for the gesture it often does not mean much even with the wisest. Mrs Crowe called, herself, on Mrs Procter & said “she had had a fever”—& I never heard that “spiritual manifestations” (so called) pretended to ensure people against fevers! It is altogether a ridiculous conclusion from the alleged facts (of the Crowe illness &c) let those be ever so veritable– The peculiar thing (next to that) is the indecency with which the press .. gentlemen of the press, so please them .. have treated the subject– [4]
Let me tell you before I end—the reason why I have kept the Athenæum, is, that from day to day we wished to take it back to you ourselves—but the scirocco weather affected me & other causes interfered. <***> [5]
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: University of Texas.
1. Date based on EBB’s reference to The Athenæum, which she returned on 18 May (see letter 3419).
2. Cf. Job 42:6.
3. The issue of 15 April 1854, to which EBB had referred in recent letters.
5. The closing, with signature, has been excised.
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