3887. EBB to Julia Martin

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 23, 90.

39. Devonshire Place

Tuesday. [14 October 1856] [1]

My dearest Mrs Martin

I obey you to the letter. And I write in such vehement haste, & in such a stifling fog, after coughing all night, that it would be difficult to write less briefly–

We go on saturday, if possible—if not, on monday, I suppose. The difficulties & preparation crowd into the few days,—& whether we can get ready in the time, seems doubtful—the book not ready yet by seventy pages!! It comes out towards the middle or end of November, the publishers propose. [2]

We go to Florence, & shall stay one day in Paris on the road.

Shall we see you? Oh, I fear, I fear. And you have been ill– And as for me, I cant sleep for coughing .. but I trust in a remission from this cruel English element, misnamed air– Best love from both of us to both of you.

Your ever affectionate Ba

Accounts from Ventnor better .. thank God. [3]

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

1. Date provided by EBB’s reference to the Brownings’ departure from London. Despite intentions, they left nine days later on 23 October 1856, a Thursday.

2. Aurora Leigh (1857) was published on 15 November 1856.

3. i.e., better accounts of her father’s health.

___________________