3720. EBB to John Ruskin
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 22, 89–90.
3. Rue du Colysée.
Thursday Evening. 24th [January 1856] [1]
My dear Mr Ruskin,
Your note having just arrived, Robert deputes me to write for him while he dresses to go out on an engagement. It is the evening. All these hours are wasted, since the morning, through our not being found at the Rue de Grenelle but here—& our instinct of self-preservation or self-satisfaction insists on our not losing a moment more by our own fault–
Thank you, thank you for sending us your book, & also for writing my husband’s name in it– [2] It will be the same thing as if you had written mine—except for the pleasure, as you say, which is greater so. [3] How good & kind you are!
And not well. That is worst. Surely you would be better if you had the summer in winter we have here. But I was to write only a word. Let it say how affectionately we regard you–
Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Publication: Cook, pp. xxxvi–xxxvii.
Manuscript: Ruskin Museum.
1. Month and year provided by EBB’s reference in the second paragraph to letter 3718.
3. In the last paragraph of letter 3718, Ruskin tells RB: “I was sure Mrs. Browning would like the book best as it is—offered to you.”
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