3895. EBB to Margaret Ruskin

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 23, 97.

39 Devonshire Place

Saturday. [Docket: 18 October 1856]

My dear Madam

I dont know how to thank you: you are too kind & liberal for any words. No sooner do I begin a sentence about a most pretty netted scarf, (which I shall wear thinking of our dear friend Mr John Ruskin’s mother) than I have to begin another about flowers, .. mended by another about a great box of preserves: you confuse my grammar with gratitude, & my notions of everyday doings, with generous kindness. After all, too, I was touched not least by your interest in my child—but you found that out by that superfluity of “poems”, which at a hint, I wrote out & sent you!. [1]

Thank you for letting us be thankful to you. The feeling is pleasantly associated with other bonds that bind us to your house.

With our earnest wishes & regards to Mr Ruskin & yourself, .. and Mr John Ruskin will not suspect me of leaving him out, ..

believe me

my dear Madam

most truly yours

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Docket, in unidentified hand: E. B. Browning / 18 October 1856.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. Not extant; but probably the same poems by Pen that EBB sent Georgina Cowper (see the enclosures with letter 3828).

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