4032. EBB to Anna Brownell Jameson
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 24, 124–125.
Villa. Bagni di Lucca.
Monday. [24 August 1857] [1]
My dear friend I wrote you so bad an account of Lytton that I must relieve your thoughts about him, & too thankful I am to be able to do so– Just after that letter went off there were reviving symptoms, & the improvement has continued up to this time, when, though very weak, he is without fever & able to take chicken & an egg– The digestion is inactive in a degree still—but we are all in better spirits, in hopeful, cheerful spirits about him, & the doctor says he may be “packed off” in eight days .. to Spezzia, where he longs to go to Mr Lever. A most miserable visit we have all had to Lucca, and we would (most of us) have willingly compounded for our small purgatory of burning nights & days at Florence. Only Peni has been happy here. He rides his donkey with its foal running by its side, in great exultation, & to the wonder of the natives,—& passes among the Lucchese gossips for “un vero Fiorentino.” “E parla Inglese pare?.” [2]
Mrs Stisted enquires after you. “Bessie Herbert” (so called) came down with us, by coincidence, in the railroad, & was very obliging. She said she would “call,”! but has been unwell & interrupted therefore in her intentions– Scarcely to our despair!
I am sure Mr Story will be glad to hear of poor Lytton. [3] I was very sorry that she should have suffered such a shock– [4] That was dreadful indeed– Only her father had been in a state to prepare her for the end, I have understood, before she left America. Lytton read Mr Story’s letter .. at least he had it read to him– He is still perfectly incapable of writing himself.
Robert & Annette have had some rides notwithstanding everything, and he wants me to try a poney here .. which I may, one day perhaps—but I have been once only on a donkey, & it was quite too much. The drives suit me better, till I get a little more strength.
How do you like the scenery about Siena? It is striking & characteristic in some respects—but wants beauty & grandeur—& I dont long to see it again. Also we made up our minds that the climate was far inferior to Lucca in coolness. When I say Lucca I mean the Baths—not the town.
Say how you are, dearest friend—& be well .. if that be possible. Robert’s love.
Your loving Ba.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. EBB indicates that this letter closely follows letter 4030, dated 22 August [1857], a Saturday.
2. “A true Florentine. And he speaks English, it seems?”
3. At this time the Storys were staying just outside Siena, in the Villa Spannocchi, and frequently met Mrs. Jameson.
4. The death of Emelyn Story’s father, Oliver Eldredge (1789–1857), in Boston on 25 July.
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