4146. EBB to Euphrasia Fanny Haworth
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 63–64.
[Florence]
Saturday morng [13 March 1858] [1]
Shame to me if I did not really speak to you, dearest Fanny, of your first letter. For yes, I got it, and the drawing—which Robert admired so much that he has embezzled it in some unlawful way, for I could not find it to show it to Wilson as I should have done–
And now for business– I sent for her directly & communicated your message which was thankfully received,—and you are to consider yourself expected for next monday unless you write to the contrary. She did not offer six scudi to Miss W—(who has been agonizing all this time, & reasoning about her sad fate with tears occasionally in her eyes,) but offered eight scudi, & the terms I wrote of to you– It was Miss W. herself who pressed for six scudi, and a single room .. the one beyond the kitchen, .. adding that she would use the backstairs and ‘receive’ upon the terrace.!– She clung to Wilson as one in fear of sudden death–. Of course the relief given by your letter will be infinite: but I have begged Wilson to try to impress upon her the desireableness of not intruding on you & your friends, or giving you occasion to repent of your concession– For me, I earnestly hope that you never may– The poor woman seems helpless & friendless,—& anchorage in quiet waters, of some consequence to her–
Not a word of headaches! It means, I trust, that you are not suffering just now–
Do learn from the Crossmans how long & why Hume has lost his power, & whether there is hope for the future,—& if he certainly will visit them at Florence–? It’s too tantalizing, that at just this point there should be no manifestations– I was particularly anxious about these for the sake of that unfortunate Mrs Mackenzie, [2] who sees no hope, no light, in heaven or earth; & to whom the proof of independent existence beyond death would be better than water in the great desert.
Yes indeed. I miss you. If that miss counts with you as a hit, make much of it—for I miss you,—I miss you–
And really it’s inconsistent of me to miss any human being just now, considering my general exasperation with humanity, through that enormous humbuggery of political & patriotic morals going on in England. [3]
Dont let me lose the post with my patience–
Ever your most affectionate
Ba–
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.
1. Dated by EBB’s comments on Fanny Haworth’s apartment issues with Miss W., which are also discussed in letters 4145 and 4147.
2. Mary Mackenzie (née Wood, 1800–1890), a sister of Margaret Smith (Mrs. Egerton Smith). The Brownings had met her earlier in Paris through her nieces Mary Egerton Bracken and Margaret Egerton Castle. Currently she was residing in Rome, where she devoted herself to copying works of art.
3. A further reference to the defeat of the Conspiracy to Murder Bill (see letter 4130, note 8).
___________________
