3445. EBB & RB to Edward Chapman
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 20, 256-257.
| [In RB’s hand] | Florence |
July 1. ’54
My dear Mr Chapman,
I duly heard of your prompt and kind attention to our wishes about those versicles for the Charity: [1] the plan was none of ours, nor at all to our mind (between ourselves) but since it seemed auspicious to others, we did as you helped us to do—and the piper must pay himself (thankful if it is not with “fiddler’s money” [2] ).
And now since the proper time comes about, will you be so good as to give us the half-years account, which will be more interesting than usual, just now? We both of us have books in hand, [3] and are anxious to know the signs of the times. [4] Will you please attend to this at your early leisure,—for we are at a distance you know. It is not certain when we go to London. At all events, an early answer will still find us here.
We are well,—and none the worse for being out of Rome.
Ever yours faithfully,
Robert Browning.
Will you have the kindness to direct a copy of my wife’s poems to be given to Mrs Stuart of Florence on her application for it.
[Continued by EBB]
And will you, dear Mr Chapman, give into the care of the same Mrs Stuart, to our address at Florence, Mrs Barbauld’s “Early Lessons” [5] and Miss Edgeworth’s “Early lessons” .. being the “Cherry Orchard,” and the first part of “Frank” [6] … charging them of course to our account?
Very sincerely yours
Elizabeth Barrett Browning–
Address, in RB’s hand, on integral page: E. Chapman Esq. / 193 Piccadilly, / London.
Publication: NL, pp. 78–79.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
2. Under the entry for “fiddler,” the OED provides several quotations containing this expression and variations such as “fiddler’s pay” and “fiddler’s fare,” all of which indicate a payment of little worth.
4. Matthew 16:3.
5. Sic, for Lessons for Children (4 vols., 1778–79), a reading primer for children two to four years old, which was continually being reprinted in the nineteenth century. EBB read this work as a child and could still quote the opening lines at age thirty-nine (see letter 1850).
6. “The Cherry Orchard” and “Frank” were stories in Maria Edgeworth’s Early Lessons (1801). They were reprinted many times, as single titles and in combination with other stories. “Frank,” to which there were sequels, had just reached a seventh edition as a single title.
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