3921. Thomas Woolner to RB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 23, 125.

London.

Nov. 3– 56.

My dear Mr Browning,

I know it will give you a great pleasure to know Sir Charles Nicholson, [1] whom this note introduces to you; and may I ask you to tell him of all the best things to be seen in your glorious city–

I make this short as possible for I shall be writing directly soon.

Your’s very sincerely

Thomas Woolner.

Robert Browning Esqr

Address, on integral page: Robert Browning Esqr / Casa Guidi / Via Maggio / Florence.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. Charles Nicholson (1808–1903), British-born Australian politician and advocate for public education, “was knighted by patent on 1 March 1852, and was the first Australian to be created a baronet (of Luddenham, NSW, on 8 April 1859)” (ODNB). He was visiting England at this time to raise funds for the University of Sydney, of which he was a principal founder. Although we cannot state with certainty that Nicholson met the Brownings, there is some evidence that indicates he may have done so in the late spring of 1858. According to his passport, he landed in Genoa on 22 May 1858 and arrived in Florence three days later. He is listed in the Brownings’ address book of that period (AB-4) at “Hôtel d'Italie” in Florence. Further, Nicholson is listed at 26 Devonshire Place in an address book that RB used in the mid- to late 1860’s (ms at Texas). For Nicholson’s passport information, the editors gratefully acknowledge the scholarly assistance of Craig Barker and Michael Turner of the University of Sydney.

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