3458. RB to James Thomas Fields
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 20, 287–288.
Florence,
Aug 23. ’54.
Dear Sir,
I expect to bring out in London, next season, a collection of new Poems, containing about 5000 lines. [1] American friends have assured me so repeatedly that it is possible to obtain some remuneration for the reprint of these in their country, [2] by consenting to furnish a publisher there with the proof-sheets as they are issued and thus enabling him to forestal competitors—that I suppose I should be wanting to myself if I neglected to act upon their advice. Several gentlemen have been mentioned to me as likely to close with such an offer—but I must naturally think of, and apply to you in the first place. Will it suit you to enter into this arrangement with me—and, if so, upon what terms, may I ask? An answer at your earliest convenience would oblige me the more, that my only chance of getting anything for my labours, now as heretofore, seems to be in concluding a bargain before I print. (You have not forgotten the promise of the booksellers to pay my wife for the proofs of her (then) last edition, for which she has never received a cent. [3] By the way, she is also engaged on a new poem, which she will be ready to dispose of after the same fashion, if it succeeds with me.)
I am sure you will rejoice to be as generous as you can—indeed, as you commonly are, if I am not misinformed.
I heard from our friend Miss Mitford two days ago: she is in sadly declining health, I fear—though apparently no worse than some weeks since. For ourselves, we are all well here—and my wife’s kind remembrances to you accompany those of
Dear Sir,
Yours very sincerely,
Robert Browning.
Will you have the kindness to forward the accompanying note to Mrs Lippincott.
I daresay you see Mr Hillard occasionally & will give him our best regards.
Publication: The Century Magazine, May 1912, p. 130 (in part, as 25 August 1854).
Manuscript: University of Texas.
2. One of the “American friends” was William Wetmore Story; see SD1671 in vol. 19. Another was certainly George Curtis; see SD1757. He had been in communication with Fields, who, in a letter of 29 December 1853, offered the Brownings, through Curtis, fifty pounds “on receipt of the early sheets in advance … for both” (see SD1702).
3. Presumably, “her (then) last edition” refers to Poems (1844), the only work of which EBB had as yet provided proofsheets to an American publisher. But that publisher, Henry G. Langley (see letter 1640), had since gone bankrupt, as reported in letter 2977. The same letter indicates that Charles S. Francis, who had been publishing unauthorized American editions of EBB’s poetry, was willing to compensate her, though it is unclear whether for past or future editions. RB’s mention of “proofs” would seem to imply that Francis had acquired them. In his next letter to Fields, however, RB refers to “two stereotypes” rather than proofs (6 September 1855, ms at Huntington).
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