4143. RB to Alicia Bayne
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 56–57.
Florence
March 2 ’58
My dear Mrs Bayne, [1]
How very happy we are to hear such news of your family! [2] I could have hoped for nothing better than what you tell us. No doubt that, now your son’s constitution has thrown off his malady all will go on infinitely the better: give my kindest regards to him, & beg him to take redoubled care of himself for the future for your sake as well as his own—or (judging from his affectionate nature) I will rather say,—for your sake more than his own. Plenty of outdoor exercise,—mind,—and no getting sickly over books—does he like riding? That is the arch-exercise—on as rough a trotter as you please—no care in cantering. I hope and expect to see him ere long in London in robust health. As for the young lady—she must please to remain much as she is, for it would be difficult to improve on the state of things as I last witnessed them.
The long winter is breaking up in rain & warmth: do try and enjoy yourselves,—to carry away with you some substantial good out of our poor Italy—who not having had enough of wrong from all the world, has wronged her dear self in this sad weather. You will soon see Mrs Jameson who starts for Naples at the end of the week. My wife comes out thin and exhausted as a snake out of this terrible time. She sends her kindest regards & congratulations with those of yours faithfully ever
Robert Browning
Address: Mrs Bayne / aux soins de M M Torlonia & Co / Roma. Redirected: 56 Via Condotti 1o po
Publication: None traced.
Source: Transcript in editors’ file.
2. In letter 4113, EBB wrote that Mrs. Bayne’s children had recovered from an illness that they were not expected to survive.
___________________
