3695. RB to Edward Chapman
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 22, 43–44.
Paris, 3 Rue du Colysée.
Dec. 17. ’55.
My dear Chapman,
I wrote to you more than a week ago by Mrs Jameson—but rather think, or am sure indeed, that she arrived in London too fatigued for anything but going on to bed at Ealing: by this time, you may have received my note, and, above, behold my address. We are warmer & better off. I was anxious to know if Fields had duly reimbursed you: it can hardly be otherwise however. Next, if the book continued to do well,—& how well: the notices will come, I suppose, next month: meanwhile, don’t take to heart the zoological utterances I have stopped my ears against at Galignani’s of late. “Whoo-oo-oo-oo” mouths the big monkey– “Whee-ee-ee-ee” squeaks the little monkey, & such a dig with the end of my umbrella as I should give the brutes if I couldn’t keep my temper, & consider how they miss their nuts & gingerbread! I see how you have taken care & advertised properly, if I am any judge of that: I am sure your part has been well performed, however it may be with mine.
The notice in the R. des Deux Mondes will be for Jan. 1. [1] I believe: the delay was thro’ the indisposition of my proper critic (a first-rate man)—and my own choice to wait for him rather than let the thing be done by another person—who had actually set to work & translated a piece or two: but I wanted my own man. He would no more suffer me to see a word of his performance, to correct a syllable of his versions, than do a far meaner thing, being altogether a noble fellow: but judge whether he finds the writing unintelligible,—he, a Frenchman!
Do please let me hear from you as soon as you can. My wife has suffered sadly from cold & vile rooms, but this place will make amends, we hope.
Ever yours very sincerely
Robert Browning.
Publication: NL, pp. 85–86.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. Milsand’s review of Men and Women was not published in the Revue des Deux Mondes but rather in the Revue Contemporaine et Athenæum Français (September 1856, pp. 511–546). See SD1926, in which Milsand explains his decision to withdraw the review, as a result of its publication being postponed for five months.
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