4039. EBB to Charlotte Laura Knowles
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 24, 130–131.
Bagni di Lucca.
September 1– [1857] [1]
My dear Miss Knowles, [2]
I must have seemed very negligent in not having written long ago to thank you for your letter, and your friend for her book,—but the facts would excuse me with a less kind heart than yours if you knew all– When I had received the book (which lingered) I was unable to read, and when I could read, through much heaviness & confusion of thoughts I had mislaid your letter, & waited to ascertain your address here from Mrs Stisted. [3] And then again since arriving here, the illness of a friend has occupied me– Altogether it was less indolence on my part than sadness. Forgive what remains to be forgiven.
As to the book, the piety & purity, the learning & elegance are all to be admired. The author has her reward, we feel everywhere in it, (independently of any critic or public) in attainments secured and a state of mind enjoyed, .. with which no review can intermeddle– Pray offer my thanks to Miss |Michigan| [4] for her courtesy in sending me this book.
Of you & yours, dear Miss Knowles, I was very glad to hear, and Mrs Stisted has given me a farther account of you since I came from Florence heat to this mountain fortress against the sun– She does not appear strong—but you will have pleasure in knowing that I thought her looking better than when I saw her three years ago. [5] Very kind she has been as usual in taking for us this house & garden where we mean to enjoy another month of the lovely summer too near its end.
I should like to introduce my husband to Lady Knowles & yourself, & to show you my little boy, now eight years old, who is very good & sweet considering how much spoiling he has had on his pretty head– My sister Henrietta has three younger children, .. one quite a baby– Arabel is unmarried still–
May God bless you, dear Miss Knowles. With cordial regards to Lady Knowles
believe me
most truly yours
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. Year provided from EBB’s reference to Pen’s being eight years old.
2. Charlotte Laura Knowles (1804–93), eldest daughter of Charles Henry Knowles (1754–1831), 2nd Baronet, and his wife, Charlotte (née Johnstone, 1782–1867). The Moulton-Barretts and Knowleses were acquaintances from Hope End days.
3. The residence of Miss Knowles and her mother was Belvedere House, Ryde, Isle of Wight.
4. We have been unable to identify this person or the book she sent EBB.
5. i.e., four years ago, the last time the Brownings summered at Bagni di Lucca.
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