3510.5. Alexander Gilchrist to RB

Addendum to The Brownings’ Correspondence, vol. 21.

Guildford, Surrey

Jan. 19. 1855.

Sir,

In the “Life” of Etty the Painter, of which I am the Author, now on the point of publication, I have been guilty of a trespass, for which I now wish to apologize: in printing a note of your’s to Etty, written shortly before the latter’s death. This I ventured to do, because the note contains a tribute to the Sirens interesting, as coming from a Poet to a Painter; and because no serious invasion of privacy or confidence seemed involved. I was unwilling to put you to the trouble of answering a formal request on such a point. Yet now, I feel in need of your forgiveness for the liberty I have taken in dispensing with it.

I am Sir,

with much respect and admiration,

Your obedient servant,

Alex. Gilchrist

To Robert Browning Esq.

Address: Robert Browning Esq. / In unidentified hand: Casa Guidi / Florence.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

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