3960. RB to John Chapman
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 23, 215–216.
Florence,
Jan. 26. ’57.
Dear Mr Chapman,
Can you do me a favor—for your friendliness will, I know, if it can. A friend of mine,—indeed, one of the dearest I have, [1] —happens to be particularly anxious to possess a copy of a book you once published in your “Catholic Series”—afterward included by Bohn in his “Standard Library”—“The Philosophical & Æsthetic letters & essays of Schiller, translated with an introduction by J. Weiss.” [2] “It was still to be had,” say my instructions “in 1854—but seems out of print—still Mr Chapman might have a copy by him.” If you have, and will cede it to me, I shall be glad indeed,—for my friend (a Frenchman) was proposing to send to America for it—with trouble & expense enough. I will send word to somebody in London [3] who will call in my name for the book & transmit it to Paris,—paying you duly for what can be paid in the transaction.
Is that your article on the Literature of the Rappists, which I see commended every where? [4] I suppose so, as the Westminster is without such a thing.
Ever yours faithfully,
Robert Browning.
We’re to have the poor wet clout of a Kaiser here this week: [5] the town is to illuminate—& our house shall look black enough!
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. Joseph Milsand.
2. The Philosophical and Æsthetic Letters and Essays of Schiller, trans. John Weiss (1818–79) was first published in 1845 by John Chapman in his “Catholic Series,” which was intended “to consist of Works of a liberal and comprehensive character, judiciously selected, and embracing various departments of literature” (from the “Prospectus” at the head of advertisements preceding the translation). It was republished by Bohn’s Standard Library in 1846. Henry George Bohn (1796–1884) was a publishing pioneer, who in 1846 began making translated classics available at cheap prices for the Victorian mass market.
3. Presumably, Anthony G. Snellgrove (1827–1922), son of Anthony Greenland Snellgrove (1795–1867) and his wife, Jane (née Gabb, 1803–89). Snellgrove worked for the Bank of England (as did his father, brother, and son), eventually becoming Principal of the Bank Stock Office, a position formerly held by RB’s grandfather (see Browning Society Notes, 4, July 1974, 15). Through him, Sarianna had tried to procure a copy of the book for Milsand but without success (see SD2020 and SD2040).
4. An article entitled “The Literature of Spirit-Rapping” appeared in The National Review for January 1857 (pp. 131–151). The reviewer, identified as William Caldwell Roscoe (1823–59) in The Wellesley Index to Victorian Periodicals, cast a sceptical eye over two spiritualist newspapers: The Spiritual Herald and The Yorkshire Spiritual Telegraph; along with Newton Crosland’s, Apparitions: A New Theory (1856); Thomas L. Harris’s, Epic of the Starry Heaven (New York, 1856) and by the same author, Lyric of the Golden Age (New York, 1856). The latter work is mentioned in letter 3823.
5. RB refers to the Emperor of Austria, Franz Josef I (1830–1916). In November 1856, he and his wife, Empress Elisabeth (1837–98), began a tour of the Italian states under Austrian control. According to reports in The Times, they stayed in Milan from January through February, then left for Mantua in early March, before returning to Vienna on 12 March. There is no indication that the emperor visited Florence during this tour (see The Times for 4, 9, 12, and 18 February 1857; and 4 and 13 March 1857).
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