4140. EBB to Euphrasia Fanny Haworth
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 54–55.
[Florence]
Sunday. [28 February 1858] [1]
My dearest Fanny
I write one line, in sending the book for Mr Tennyson, (you will bring it back) to supplicate you to send by letter another supply of the homœopathic, as the last is exhausted, & Robert is decidedly of opinion that it does him good. I want a letter too, to know how you arrived, how you stay, how you “like it” altogether– Any friends, <…>?– [2] I mean, “friends, countrymen & lovers”?– [3] And much change for the better in the temperature?
Mr Mignaty has paid me a visit this morning, & called your pictures “very clever,”—stood & examined them there some time– Isa was here last night, in spite of a scarcely extinguished cold; & she admired too.
I wish I had something to tell you but no—a black cloud is before my eyes– The Bricchieri people wont, [4] I think, go to Naples– Mrs Jameson is better. I am in particularly low spirits, partly on account of Lord Palmerston’s going out, & the House of Commons stultifying themselves more than was necessary from the nature of things– [5]
Everyone admires your sketch of Penini, [6] but none quite so much as Robert & I, because we really love it.
Ever your affectionate Ba–
Do send the globules–
I miss the potentiality of you, coming & going.
Address: Miss Haworth.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.
1. Dating based on EBB’s request for “another supply of the homœopathic,” which she has received by the time she writes letter 4145, and on her reference to Mrs. Jameson’s improved health; illness delayed her intended departure for Naples on 27 February (see the fourth paragraph in letter 4139) until 6 March (see the fourth paragraph in letter 4144).
2. A word has been obliterated by EBB.
3. Cf. Julius Caesar, III, 2, 13: “Romans, countrymen, and lovers hear me for my cause” and III, 2, 73: “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!”
4. i.e., Isa Blagden and Annette Bracken, who were living in Villa Brichieri at Bellosguardo.
5. EBB refers to the defeat of the Conspiracy to Murder Bill and Lord Palmerston’s subsequent resignation (see letter 4130, notes 8 and 10).
6. The portrait of Pen playing the piano, completed in January 1857 (see Reconstruction, H10). It is reproduced in vol. 23, facing p. 209.
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