3621. RB to Joseph Milsand

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 21, 254–255.

London,

Sept 9. ’55.

My dear Milsand–

I have hardly time to say the thing I was reserving myself for the last month to say—being pressed by the departure of my friend Lytton. Here, however, without word, is my first volume [1] —it will be published either at the end of October or beginning of November– Do with it just what you will: if you can, you will sympathize with what I have done, [2] —and in any case you will be, what I dare call you, my dearest of friends. I rejoice in the prospects of next winter.

Ever yours affectionately,

Robert Browning

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Joseph Milsand Archive.

1. The proofsheets of Men and Women, volume I. Evidently, they were sent via Robert Lytton who returned to his post in Paris on 9 September.

2. The proofsheets were sent to Milsand so that he could write a review for Revue des Deux Mondes. It did not appear there, however (see letter 3676, note 5).

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