3888. RB to Dante Gabriel Rossetti

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 23, 90–91.

39 Devre Place

Tuesday [14 October 1856] [1]

My dear Rossetti,

I throw myself on your kindness and Mr Masson’s– [2] I had forgotten when I mentioned Thursday that I had given away that evening—will you let it be on Friday? I hate all this show of fussiness but can’t help it: I trust to you to set me right with Mr Masson who does not know me, and can hardly be so indulgent.

Ever yours faithfully,

R Browning–

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Huntington Library.

1. Dated by RB’s Friday invitation. In letter 3896 EBB indicates that the Brownings entertained five Pre-Raphaelites on 17 October 1856.

2. David Masson, who had favorably reviewed Men and Women in the 1 January 1856 issue of The British Quarterly Review (see letter 3732, note 10).

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