4119. EBB to Robert Walter Stewart

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 14–15.

Casa Guidi.

Jany– 25 [1858] [1]

Dear Dr Stewart, [2]

We thank you from our hearts for this too beautiful memorial of our valued friend Mr Hanna, [3] —which it is so affecting to us to receive, both because it was his, and because you, in your knowledge of him, believe that he would have liked us to have it in his name & keep it for his sake. Add to your goodness to us by breathing a prayer that we may not be altogether unworthy to remember so Christian a man.

I will venture to say besides, dear sir, that whenever you & Mrs Stewart [4] are in Florence and have time for visits, we shall feel the greatest pleasure in receiving you here.

With our united thanks & regards, allow me to remain

truly & gratefully yours

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Address: Revd Dr Stewart / Livorno.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. Year provided by postmark.

2. Robert Walter Stewart (1812–87), minister of the Free Church of Scotland at Leghorn from 1845 until his death.

3. Probably, The Pilgrim’s Progress, with Explanatory Notes by T. Scott and a Life of the Author by J. Conder (Philadelphia, 1845), which sold as lot 531 in Browning Collections (see Reconstruction, A528). This edition contains 15 pages of plates. In letter 4120 EBB mentions that Stewart sent the Brownings “a most magnificent illustrated edition of Bunyan as a memorial.”

4. Graham Stewart (née Cockburn, 1817–97), daughter of Henry Cockburn (1779–1854), judge and author, and his wife, Elizabeth (née MacDowall, 1786–1857). The Stewarts were married on 31 August 1839 at Erskine, Scotland.

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