3997. RB to James Jackson Jarves

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 24, 65–66.

[Florence]

Sunday Evening. [?3 May] [1857] [1]

Dear Jarves,

Are you inclined to ride to-morrow? If so,—will you say where & when we may meet? I rather want some exercise, for my part.

Yours faithfully ever,

Robert Browning.

You see, I found the worst news at the Post, that Thursday morning. My wife has suffered greatly, but is recovering as fast as I can expect.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Haverford College.

1. Conjecturally dated by RB’s reference to EBB’s reaction to her father’s death, news of which reached the Brownings on Thursday, 23 April 1857.

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