3835. RB to William Francis Cowper

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 23, 29.

39 Devonshire Place, Portland Place

Friday. [15 August 1856] [1]

My dear Mr Cowper,

How good you are, & how unfortunate are we in being unable to do as you ask so kindly! We have had no pleasanter incident during this visit to England than the happy chance of becoming acquainted with Mrs Cowper & yourself—pray believe that—however unfortunate we may be, this one time, in being engaged elsewhere when invited to go to you.

My wife’s true thanks & kindest regard to Mrs Cowper accompany those of

Yours faithfully ever,

Robert Browning.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. Date suggested by RB’s declining an invitation from the Cowpers. In letter 3840 EBB writes that the Brownings had been invited to spend Saturday and Sunday (16 and 17 August) at Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire, near Hatfield.

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