3643. Bryan Waller Procter to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 21, 286–287.
South Villa, Upper Norwood,
(Central Road) Surrey
October 2. 1855.
My dear Browning–
A few days ago I suggested to Forster the expediency of his & your visiting the Crystal Palace [1] tomorrow (Wednesday) & dining here afterwards. I dare say that he has already written to you,—but to provide against accidents (for he has been out of town) I write to say that I or my wife will be in the Centre of The Crystal Palace (the raised platform where the Queen was) [2] at Three O’Clock tomorrow. We shall dine at Six O’Clock precisely & an Omnibus goes to London at Nine.
We live in what is called The Central Road (in an indentation of it rather)—& are next door to the Baptists’ Chapel. [3] Illus.
I have had an accident—have cut my knee—I am able to move out only in a chair.
With kind regards to Mrs B. I am dear Browning
Always your very sincere
B. W. Procter.
Address: Robert Browning Esqre / 13 Dorset Street / Baker Street / London. [4]
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: University of Chicago.
2. Procter refers to the platform in the central transept where Queen Victoria formally opened the Crystal Palace on 10 June 1854.
3. See Procter’s map below. A Baptist chapel, built in 1852, existed at the corner of Central Road (now Central Hill) and Gatestone Road in Upper Norwood. It was destroyed by enemy action in World War II.
4. On the face of the envelope RB has written and cancelled lines 113–114 from “Holy-Cross Day” (Men and Women, 1855): “By the branding iron, the hangman’s whip / And the summons to Christian fellowship.” “Tool” is written above “iron.” As published, line 114 was unchanged, but line 113 was altered to: “By the branding-tool, the bloody whip.”
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