3908. EBB to Anna Brownell Jameson

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 23, 112–113.

[London]

Tuesday night. [21 October 1856] [1]

Dearest friend,

I am horribly vexed that you should have interpreted Robert’s mood yesterday when he was tired out, so hardly against me–

I sit here among the ruins of our summer life, looking & feeling wretched—& he is gone to Croydon– [2] Oh, I am so tired. If you had come I could have looked at you—but as to writing, I cant– I send you a line to Chapman [3] .. but let the book be done up nicely before you take it– Goodbye, my dear, dear friend–

Your ever attached

Ba–

Come to Italy—I do beseech you, sad or merry (& you are not very merry, though you certainly may be charming) to come to Italy–

We shall leave here two books of yours—you forgot your [illegible word] on Crime—in a parcel directed to you & waiting to be called for–

Address: Mrs Jameson / Ealing.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

1. This letter is postmarked 23 October 1856, a Thursday. It was held back until RB could write (see letter 3916), and both were posted in the same envelope.

2. To visit Jane Leppard, widow of his cousin James Silverthorne, and their son, Edward (see letter 3045, notes 3, 5, and 13). Jane had remarried (see letter 3303, note 7), and she and her husband resided in High Street, Croydon.

3. For a copy of Aurora Leigh. We have been unable to trace Mrs. Jameson’s copy.

___________________