Correspondence

3946.  EBB to Thomas Leigh

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 23, 171.

Florence. Casa Guidi.

December 28th [1856] [1]

Dear Sir, [2]

I feel I should have thanked you long ago for your volume of poems, [3] & the ingenious verses (true both to kindness & kinship), which were received at the same time. Never fancy that I have been drawn away from the duty of gratitude by pleasant thoughts,—for the supposition would prove me too much in fault, besides being too sadly unlike the fact. Now, at last, I send my thanks to you thus.

Your poems have much beauty, too—and, if this be a first book, are full of promise of the beautiful. May whatever is good in literature & in life, meet you & satisfy you,—as far as such things can satisfy.

Faithfully yours

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Address: Angleterre viâ France / Thomas Leigh Esqre / Care of Messrs Smith, Elder & Co. / 65. Cornhill / London.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library and Scripps College.

1. This letter is postmarked 2 January 1857.

2. We are unable to further identify Mr. Leigh.

3. Garlands of Verse, published by Smith, Elder & Co. in February 1856.

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