3626. EBB to Charles William Reynolds

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 21, 261.

13. Dorset Street.

Wednesday– [12 September 1855] [1]

My dear Mr Reynolds,

I hasten to offer to dear Arlette all the affectionate sympathy I feel for her– [2] She has the comfort which those have, who look back upon an undisturbed tender love between child & parent, happy & reliable to the earthly end– There are separations more poignant & bitter than this is, & she may thank God never to have known such– For the rest, I believe for my own part, that the Dead do not go far off, after all–

Dear Mr Reynolds, I thank you much for your kind, note,—and Robert & I write in the truest regards to yourself. He will carry what I have written, that he may learn at your door, how dear Arlette is this morning.

Most sincerely yours

Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

Address: C W Reynolds Esqre / 6. Oxford Square / Hyde Park.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. Date provided by EBB’s reference to the death of Arlette’s father; see note 2.

2. On the death of her father (and EBB’s uncle), Rev. Richard Pierce Butler (1784–1855), who died on 10 September at 55 Cambridge Street, Hyde Park, Kensington.

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