3568. Anna Brownell Jameson to EBB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 21, 191–192.

[Paris]

[early July 1855] [1]

Dearest Ba–

I was disappointed not to find you yesterday Evening at Mrs Storey’s where so many of your friends were assembled & where I went to meet you—today I have promised to drive out with Lady Elgin & dine with them afterwards—if you are expected in the Evening I stay there—if not—& if you are to be at home—I shall go up to you about 8 oclock—after dinner–

I have read your Lyrics [2] over & over again—full of deep feeling!—but if you allowed me I should like to criticise one or two passages—by criticise I do not mean condemn—far from it—but only try to explain why I think you should reconsider the expression of the thought—your own affecte

Anna

Lady Elgin requests the pleasure of your company this Evening & wants an answer. [3]

Address: Mrs Browning / Champs Elysées / 138.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Yale University.

1. Dating based on Mrs. Jameson’s reference to “Mrs. Storey”; that is Emelyn Story. Mrs. Jameson and the Storys were in Paris during the Brownings’ residence at 138 Avenue des Champs Élysées from 24 June to 11 July 1855.

2. Unidentified.

3. This postscript is written in pencil on the face of the envelope.

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