4040. EBB to Sophia Eckley

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 24, 131–132.

Casa Betti–

Wednesday– [?2] [September 1857] [1]

Dearest Mrs Eckley [2] how can you write such things to me? You are too good to me, & too humble for yourself. Was I not interested, do you think, in all you said to me? Yes indeed– “Egotistical,” were you? And even if so, is not the pure, loving, loveable “I” the best thing which “you” can hear about? better & more lovely than all these green hills & bright streams. So do go on to punish me with your “I”—& let me be more & more

affectionately yours

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Docket, in Sophia Eckley’s hand, in accompanying album: First letter I ever recd from E.B.B.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Berg Collection.

1. Date suggested by docket and the probability that the Brownings met the Eckleys the previous month (see letter 4025, note 3).

2. Sophia May Eckley (née Tuckerman, 1823–74) and her husband, David Eckley, Jr. (1820–95), wealthy Bostonians, had been travelling in Europe for at least the last three years. On or before 24 June, they took up residence at Casa Tommasi in Alla Villa, as indicated in the subscription book of the English Church at Bagni di Lucca (ICS). Their son, David Eckley, III (1849–81), was only a few weeks younger than Pen. EBB was greatly attracted to Mrs. Eckley because of her interest in spiritualism, and there followed an intense friendship that ended sometime in late 1859. For further details of Mrs. Eckley’s life and her friendship with EBB, see pp. 241–252.

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