3838. William Charles Macready to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 23, 31.
Sherborne House. Sherborne. Dorset
August 18. 1856.
My dear Browning
It must be unnecessary to say, how truly glad I was to hear from you, nor with what anxious hope I cling to that thread of a conditional promise, which you have held out to me of seeing Mrs Browning and yourself. You make your own terms. I shall be truly happy to receive and welcome you on any. Therefore if the end of September will give me two or three sunny days and your presences to make them brighter, that Month will pay me back something of the heavy arrear it owes me, being that in which my holidays used always to end.– It has been quite a joy to all of us to hear, as we did some time since, of dear Kenyon’s recovery, whom so many hold in such affectionate regard. When you see him, pray remember me most heartily & kindly to him. My sister [1] desires her kindest regards to you.– The Railroad will bring you in September within five miles of us, [2] where I will meet you, if——oh, that word comes in to dash my schemes: but I will hope on till October.
Tell Mrs Browning, with all that is most kind in remembrance from me, that I have long evenings too, and not so many to look forward to, but that I shall be most anxious to lighten what are left to me—with memories of her visit. Ever my dear Browning, most truly and
affectionately your’s
W. C. Macready
Address: Robert Browning Esqr / 39. Devonshire Place / Portland Place / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. Letitia Margaret Macready.
2. Sherborne House, Sherborne, Dorset. A branch of the Great Western Railway opened at Yeovil, about 5 miles west of Sherborne, on 1 September 1856.
___________________
