3545. Adelaide Sartoris to EBB & RB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 21, 136–137.

11 Via della Mercede

9th April [1855] [1]

Easter Monday

Dear people—I send you Lord Fordwich [2] whom I like very much—he is very shy—but if you will help him to get over that, I think he will please you—& he will be very grateful to you, if you will let him come sometimes quietly of an evening as (alas that it shd be in a past tense!) I used—he knows no one in Florence–

I hear of you through Hatty occasionally wh isn’t quite like hearing one’s own self but still greatly better than nothing. I see her every day—& don’t quite see what is to become of me when I part from her & Leighton, who are both so kind & faithful to me– I haven’t time for more– We are all well, & I as happy as I ever shall be– I often think of you & your kindness to me, & the pleasant safe feeling I always had in your house & in your company– Kiss your child for me & believe me as indeed I am affectionately yours

Adelaide Sartoris–

Keep remembering me a little till we meet—when will it be? I shan’t get to England before October!

Address: Robert Browning Esqre / Casa Guidi.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Yale University.

1. Year provided by Mrs. Sartoris’s introduction of Lord Fordwich, whom EBB mentions having met in letter 3549.

2. Francis Thomas de Grey Cowper (1834–1905), later 7th Earl Cowper, was the eldest son of George Augustus Frederick Cowper, 6th Earl Cowper (1806–56), and his wife Lady Anne Florence (1806–80), eldest daughter of the 2nd Earl de Grey. He styled himself “Viscount Fordwich until he succeeded to his father’s title. … He toured Italy from late 1854, acquiring an interest in Florentine and Venetian painting,” and was described as possessing a “discernible shyness” (ODNB). Years later, RB dedicated Balaustion’s Adventure (1871) to the 7th Earl’s wife.

___________________