3844. EBB to Mary Ruxton

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 23, 38.

39. Devonshire Place

Friday. [22 August 1856] [1]

My dear Mary, I thank you very much for the Swedenborg, & the information, & the kindness altogether .. which I was going to beg you to add to by coming to see me, .. when lo, we are suddenly carried off our feet (at a day’s notice) by a new wave. We go tomorrow to Ventnor [2] on our way to pay a visit to dear Mr Kenyon at Cowes–

In a fortnight or so, I hope you will be still in reach– The book I will take great care of–

With regards to Mr Ruxton, & kisses to the dear babies, [3]

Your very affectionate friend

Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

You know of course that Sophia Cottrell has arrived. I have not seen her.

Address: Mrs Ruxton. / 85. Oxford Terrace. [4] Redirected, in unidentified hand: try Street.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: British Library.

1. This letter is postmarked 23 August 1856, a Saturday.

2. On the Isle of Wight, in order to be near Arabella and her brothers, who were staying at Milanese Villa. The Brownings would be close by at Melbourne Villa.

3. Mary Ruxton (née Minto, 1821–97) and her husband, Augustus Alexander Ruxton, had three children: Mary Augusta (afterwards Roberts, 1853–1911), Katherine Hume (1854–1931), and Mabel Hay (1855–1935).

4. The Ruxtons lived at 45 Oxford Terrace, Bayswater. At no. 85 was a Mrs. Edward Hurry. Oxford Terrace is now part of the broad avenue of Sussex Gardens.

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