3496. EBB to Augusta Harding
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 21, 23–24.
Casa Guidi.
Novr [sic, for December] 1. [1854] [1]
We are vexed my dear Miss Harding to have missed your wednesdays through friends coming to us & other untoward obstacles—but for which my husband, at least, (the tramontana had me under lock & key) would have carried these volumes to you last night & begged your acceptance of them. This one copy of my books has reached us from England only now [2] —& with it, a few copies of the accompanying libretto [3] which was written for & sold at the late bazaar for the benefit of the Ragged schools of London, [4] —& is nearly as good (for nothing?) therefore as manuscript.
No satisfactory news yet of Sebastopol! May God grant the best presently, & the least price paid for it. We often think of you all. [5]
most truly yours always
Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
1. Month and year provided by EBB’s reference to receiving a copy of Poems (1853) and copies of Two Poems, which were ordered in letter 3483.
2. This presentation copy of Poems (1853), is inscribed “With EBB’s best regards to Miss Augusta Harding[,] Florence. Novr. [sic, for December] 1, 1854” (Reconstruction, C96).
3. Literally “Booklet,” or “little book.”
5. Miss Harding’s brother, Francis Pym Harding (1820–75), was currently serving in the Crimea as aide-de-camp to John Lysaght Pennefather, commander of the 1st brigade in the 2nd division.
___________________
