3430. RB to William Wetmore Story
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 20, 241–242.
Florence,
June 11. ’54.
My dear Story,
We very sincerely sympathise with your good news—they reached us here about a week ago—as we left Rome on the 26 Ult. Having got Edie well, you must keep her so. Our own child became affected by the climate a week or two before we left, and frightened us considerably—he got better the moment he left the place, just as Edie has done. The weather was delightful—but the cause is deeper than in the weather. Here, it is cool and too rainy by far. I wish I could say something about our plans—they are more than ever uncertain: if we go to London we shall pass thro’ Paris without stopping, I believe. And where we pass the winter, it is impossible to decide at present. We may even return to Florence, which suits us, on the whole, better than other places. If we do pass your way, however, be sure I will bring you the cigars you desire. We found the Shaws here, to lose them too soon again. We left Page fighting off his fever,—a little more effectually perhaps, but far from well. I shall surprise you by telling you,—now that I may tell,—that he painted a magnificent portrait of me—the finest of even his works,—just the head, which he wished to concentrate his art upon, in a manner which would have been impossible had the canvass been larger—the result is marvelous. I hate keeping secrets—but this was Page’s, not mine—he even wished my wife to be kept in ignorance of it—which, of course, was impossible. And the end is, that he has presented the picture to her. Both of us would have fain escaped being the subjects of such a princely piece of generosity—but there was no withstanding his admirable delicacy & noble mindedness,—which made the sacrifice of such time and labour seem easy. I wished him to keep the picture for a year at least—but he sent it to me on the morning of our departure. So it is here, the wonder of everybody—no such work has been achieved in our time, to my knowledge, at least. I am not qualified to speak of the likeness, understand—only of the life and effect, which, I wish, with all my heart, had been given to my wife’s head, or any I like better to look at than my own.
Lytton goes to England in a few days—we have had some pleasant evenings together. Miss Vaughan is here,—Miss Hosmer will follow,—the Kinneys are in good case. I am trying to make up for wasted time in Rome and setting my poetical house in order. Mrs Kemble left Rome on the same day with ourselves—not in our company unfortunately, but circumstances were too strong for our wishes. She left Florence as soon as we arrived. Mrs Sartoris will be here,—or at Lucca, presently. Good bye, my dear Story; my wife’s kind regards go with mine to Mrs Story and yourself– Penini’s love to Edie.
Ever yours affectionately,
R Browning.
Our kind remembrances to Cranch & his wife. Pray write & tell us of your next move, or continued stay.
Address: À Monsieur / M. W. W. Story, / Rue de l’Oratoire, No 1, / Champs Elysées, / Paris.
Publication: BAF, pp. 32–35.
Manuscript: University of Texas.
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