3509. RB to Edward Chapman
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 21, 54–55.
Florence.
Jan. 11. ’55.
Dear Mr Chapman.
I have first to thank you for attending to our commissions so promptly—the last packet came as duly to hand as the former one. Shall I, in the next place, wear your kindness to rags by giving you a fresh list?—viz.
The Peep of Day
Line upon line.
Joseph & his brethren. 1s
History of Moses. 1sReligious Tract Society.
Great truths in simple words. 1s
Orlandino
3d & 4th & 5th books of Rollo—by Abbott (American)
Little Mary’s Scripture lessons, 6d [1]
(I can only say, my wife assures me they are only so many pamphlets, tho’ they seem a library) will you have the goodness to send these, with a little parcel Miss Barrett will give you, to “Walter R. Cassels Esq. care of Messrs John Peel & Co 23 Peel St Manchester. To be forwarded by steamer.”—paying the carriage to Manchester.
And finally will you be so good as to write to us, as usual, that we may see how our affairs go—what is sold & what is yet to sell? I hope to be in England next half-year, so this will be the last time we dun you .. perhaps! Meanwhile, a good new year to us all! We are very well spite of some coldish weather. My wife’s kind regards & thanks go with those of
Yours very sincerely
Robert Browning.
Address, on integral page: E. Chapman Esq / 193 Piccadilly.
Publication: NL, pp. 80–81.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. There is no author named on the title page of Little Mary’s Scripture Lessons (1847), but a “Conclusion” is signed “J.C.” (i.e., Joseph Cundall). Pen had read Favell Lee Mortimer’s The Peep of Day, but it was a copy borrowed from Mary Read; see letter 3485. Line upon Line (2 pts., 1837–38), by the same author, has gone through numerous reprintings since its publication, one appearing as recently as 2000. The Brownings gave a copy of Line upon Line (pt. I, 1855; pt. II, 1853) to Pen on his birthday, 9 March 1855. Both volumes were inscribed by EBB, who also “weeded” them of objectionable phrases (see letter 3539). This copy sold as part of lot 931 in Browning Collections (see Reconstruction, A1681). The History of Joseph and His Brothers (1850); The History of Moses (1850); and F.L. Mortimer’s Great Truths in Simple Words (1847) were all published by the Religious Tract Society. Maria Edgeworth’s Orlandino (1848) was the first volume of “Chambers’s Library for Young People” series. Pen had read one of the Rollo volumes, from a series by Jacob Abbott, the previous November; see letter 3484, note 4.
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