Correspondence

3995.  RB to Edward Twisleton

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 24, 64.

Florence,

May 1. ’57.

Dear Mr Twisleton,

I wrote to you yesterday about the Copy of Lely’s Picture: I have seen it this morning—& hope it will answer your expectations—the artist having really done his best, & very well. He mentioned something, however, which made me stop the sending off till I hear from you—it is this; the picture must have a frame somewhere—here, is the natural land of frames—very good, & costing less than a quarter their expense in London: for instance, a proper frame for this picture would cost from “7 to 9 francesconi;” [1] and the cost of sending the same with the picture is not a crazia more,—neither is anything charged at the custom-house: I thought it would be at least worth while to tell you this,—and on receipt of your mind on the matter, I will act at once. Perhaps Mr Adderley [2] has a companion frame,—or other wishes about it.

Forgive my troubling you with what I might have thought of yesterday & believe me,

Ever yours faithfully,

Robert Browning

Address, on cover sheet: Angleterre / The Hon. / Edward Twisleton, / 3 Rutland Gate, / Hyde Park, S.W. / London.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Harvard University.

1. About two pounds.

2. Probably, Charles Bowyer Adderley (1814–1905), later (1878) Baron Norton. He had married in 1842 Julia Anne Eliza Leigh (1820–87), eldest daughter of Chandos Leigh (1791–1850), 1st Baron Leigh of Stoneleigh Abbey. Edward Twisleton and Baron Leigh were first cousins.

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