3852. RB to Charles Eliot Norton

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 23, 45.

Ventnor, I. of Wight.

Aug. 30. ’56.

My dear Norton,

I transmitted your kind note to Mr Kenyon at once. (You will perceive, I am at the opposite side of the Isle) and his answer, (by deputy) comes this morning to the effect that he will be very glad to see you if you can quite conveniently call. “He has great pleasure in receiving his friends if they will take the chance of his being in a state for conversation.” He has been very unwell again since we arrived here, a week ago,—with a return of some of the distressing symptoms, but would seem to be somewhat better within these few days: this morning’s note reports him—“much the same to-day—not worse but complaining of great languor.” I wish I could give your friendliness & sympathy a more satisfactory assurance.

We are here to be near my wife’s sister & brothers, [1] whom she is anxious to keep in sight till nearly the last—hence we proceed to Cowes—thence to D. Place.

With kind remembrances of my wife, my dear Norton,

believe me yours very

sincerely ever,

Robert Browning.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. George, Henry, and Octavius Moulton-Barrett.

___________________