3663. John Forster to EBB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 21, 315.

58 Lincolns Inn Fields

16th Oct. 1855

I much much fear, My dear Mrs Browning, that I shall not be able to call in Dorset Street again before you go—and so must be sadly content to say good bye thus, hoping very very soon to see you again[.]

I send a little book which I want you just to look at before you go—and having done so, perhaps you will kindly put it up and leave it at Dorset [Street] addressed to me to be sent for. I will send a boy in the course of the week for it.

It contains Sordello and I wish you to see (in particular reference to our conversation at the Procters’ on Sunday night) that my objections, then so strongly stated I always so much felt, do not arise from the inability to understand & enjoy (with the due amount of study & patience)—but from the earnest desire I have that a labour should not be imposed as the condition of a pleasure. I fancy it might even please you to see, by glancing through these marks of mine, how honestly I seem to have read to the close, and how much I found that was beautiful & noble.

God bless you & Robert and the darling Penini & all who are dear to you—will be al[wa]ys the prayer of, My dear Mrs Browning,

Your attached friend

John Forster

Address: Mrs. Robert Browning / 13 Dorset Street / Baker Street.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Berg Collection.

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