3889. Leigh Hunt to EBB & RB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 23, 91.

[London]

Tuesday Night

Eleven o’clock

[14 October 1856] [1]

Pardon me, dear Mr & Mrs Browning, for having, I fear, kept you waiting for me, and for not having come at last–

This which I thought to have enjoyed so much, has been to me a very melancholy evening.

I shall make no reckoning so nearly confident any more, upon being well enough to make an engagement. For two reasons I ought to have been in town to-day, one of very particular business, and the other of my long looked-for engagement after it, and I could not go at all. I thought to have talked with you of things, good not only for myself, but for all mankind.

No more.– All honour and happiness to the two poets wherever they go; and glad shall I be to take what opportunities I can of extending the public admiration of their works. Let them excuse me for giving myself that piece of comfort in my regret.

Leigh Hunt.

Address: Robert Browning Esqre / 39 Devonshire Place, / Portland Place.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: University of Iowa.

1. This letter is postmarked 15 October 1856, a Wednesday.

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