4015. EBB to Euphrasia Fanny Haworth
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 24, 93–94.
Florence.
[Postmark: 16 July 1857]
I write soon you see, dearest Fanny. I thank you for all—but I do beseech you dear, not to say a word more to me of what is said of me. The truth is, I am made of paper—& it tears me. Do not, dear– Make no reference to things personal to myself. As far as I could read & understand, it was absurd, perfectly ungenuine. I shall say nothing to anybody– I have torn that sheet. Do not refer to the subject to Isa Blagden. And there—I have done. [1]
No– I thank you,—& I know it was your kindness entirely. Will you, if you love me, not touch on the subject (I mean on the personal thing to myself) in your next letters, .. not even by saying that you were sorry you did once touch on them– I know how foolish & morbid I must seem to you. So, I am made—& I cant help my idiosyncrasies–
Now dont mistake me– Tell me all about the spirits .. only not about what they say of me. I am very interested. The drawback is, that, without any sort of doubt, they personate falsely–
What a journey you had—wandering like a lost ple[i]ad– [2] Has Dr Reisinger [3] found you?– We are seething in the heat– The last three days have been a composition of Gehenna & Paradise. It is a perpetual steam-bath. Yet Robert & I have not finished our plans for escaping. Mrs Jameson is here still, recovering her health & spirits. The villa hospitality goes on as usual, and the evening before last we had tea on the terrace by a divine sunset, with a favoring breath or two. [4] Only even there we wished for Lazarus’s finger. [5]
Certainly Florence will not be bearable many days longer. Write to me though, at Florence as usual.
I am very very glad that you have a truce of your headaches. Take care of the heartaches which are worse. Take care—take care.
You bid me write a “few lines,” and I write a very few– I think of you with affectionate thoughts, be sure. Penini is enchanted with your little letter, & sends love to you & Trautchen. He gets on with his German & hopes to be able to talk a little when he sees you back again.
It is said that Hume, who is back again in Paris & under the shadow of the Emperor’s wing, has been the means of an extraordinary manifestation—two spiritual figures, male & female, who were recognized by their friends– Five or six persons (including the medium) fainted away at this apparition. It happened in Paris, lately.
Yes– I mistrust the mediums less than I do the spirits who write. Tell me.
May God bless you– Be gentle in your thoughts of poor Robert who means more affectionately than appears sometimes. We all wish you the best & sweetest– Write & tell me everything with exceptions such as I have set down– And forgive my poor brittle body which shakes & breaks. May God love you, dear–
Yours in true affection
Ba–
Lotti spent an evening at the villa lately I hear.
Address: à Mademoiselle / Mademoiselle Fanny Haworth– / chez Mr Stucki / Maison Fazy / Genêve.
Publication: LEBB, II, 266–267 (in part).
Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.
1. We are unable to clarify these remarks.
3. Frédéric-Louis Roessinger (1800–62), editor of the periodical Journal de l’Ame (Geneva, 1856–60), which explored such psychic phenomena as magnetism, somnambulism, table turning, and automatic writing.
4. At Villa Brichieri on Isa Blagden’s terrace.
5. In the parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19–31), the latter in hell beseeches Abraham to “send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame” (Luke 16:24).
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