4107. EBB to Isa Blagden
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 24, 232–233.
[Florence]
[ca. 22 December 1857] [1]
My dearest Isa, .... at that word, comes in Mr Kirkup & interrupts me: but I shall have time for a line or two. Dear, dear, .. believe this of me, that I am incapable of a selfish desire while considering circumstances involving your personal good–. What I do desire is simply your good. It is, then, my strong opinion that on every account it is better for you that you should not leave Florence at present, & yield to the feeling, natural enough, of putting half a world between you & certain vexations. [2] Robert, to whom (observe) I have communicated nothing, but who has attained somehow (by his famous spiritual ‘smell,’ perhaps) to a sense of some kind of catastrophe, keeps telling me that “if Isa goes, dreadful things will be said in Florence.” Dear, for every reason, do not go. It will cost you much perhaps,—but your going will be ill-interpreted on all sides: you will leave a feeling of triumph in the opposite camp,—and your own dignity will be ill-preserved. Try to be calm & noble to the end, & keep quietly where you are till April– That, at least, is my advice .. It is what I should do myself, infallibly– I have spoken.
Robert caught no cold. I am afraid the letter today cannot be good, but you will be prepared—and it will be probably a real advantage to the object of your love to be removed from a sphere where she is physically incapacitated from the pleasures & activities of Being. [3] Dear, take courage & comfort– Remember, there is always consolation where there is not sin. You have been pure & disinterested,—you have used your soul & your hand to raise others towards good & joy, .. you have no part with the corrupters that you should have no part with the despairing. Take heart, my dearest Isa, & keep your place as you may.
Your ever loving & sympathizing
Ba–
Publication: B-IB, pp. 139–140.
Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.
1. Dating suggested by EBB’s reference to a letter containing news of the death of Isa Blagden’s half-sister; see note 3 below.
2. Presumably, these remarks pertain to Robert Bulwer Lytton. The “opposite camp” may refer to Capt. Fleetwood Wilson, whose connection with Lytton is condemned by EBB in a letter to Isa, dated [mid-January 1858] (ms at Fitzwilliam).
3. In the following letter, EBB writes that “a few days before” Christmas, Isa “had heard of the death of a dear friend.” Isa’s half-sister, Mary Rebecca Newcomen (née Bracken, formerly Doran, 1819–57), had died in London on 16 December. She was the daughter of Thomas Bracken (1791–1850) and his wife, Rebecca (née Sewell, 1795–1844).
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