4147. EBB to Euphrasia Fanny Haworth

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 64–65.

[Florence]

Monday– [15 March 1858] [1]

Poor dearest Fanny, how grieved I am for you!– But be certain that Pisa is very bad in its influences to any person of bilious tendency—particularly at this turning point of the year. We shall be delighted to have you back before thursday if you come, or on thursday, if then at farthest. [2] It is bright with sunshine, but too cold for me still—snow on the mountains they say– As to England, dont talk of it– I am sick only thinking of England. And if its a comfort for you to know that all your friends are freezing there just now, pensez-y; [3] but dont set out directly though Mr Lotti [4] is good enough to advise you that way– “Settle your affairs.” Well—it would settle my affairs undeniably if I went, but I dont, therefore, go– Indeed to use the “right of assylum” [5] is scarcely respectable just now,—and the infinite humbuggery playing off there between the British lion and his keepers, “riles” me to the last degree–

Robert continues in such an improved state, as to looks, appetite, nerves, & general feelings, that the testimony to homœopathy & the obligation to you, are both great.

Is Mr Tennyson the better for the system?—and has he given it a fair trial. Make him do so,—persuade him from me– I dont think the unhappy fact of your continued headaches a fact much against it,—seeing that allopathy has failed with you as signally. Also, if I were you, I would persist—because your general health seems bettered after all—you looked so much better when you were here. I myself am very weak—worn out by the sad thoughts & anxious ones added, of a year past—and I shall not rally, I dare say, till I can get into the air again.

Yes, I know dear Mr Tennyson’s view of the spirits—and of Swedenborg– But Blake never saw that great man in Hell. I am as sceptical as Robert ever was, about that– Seers make mistakes, as Swedenborg did himself now & then– Think of Hume having been in Florence a day and night in passing to Rome. [6] If he returns stripped of his gifts, it will be .. develish [7] —to agree with Mr Tennyson for once.

Wilson is delighted at the thought of having you back. Miss W. will pay her full share of course, and be on her best behaviour besides.

<I> hope you wont suffer too much– As for me, I shall be very, very glad to see you back– You are as unjust to yourself, as men & women are usually to others, or else you would know that I must be glad to see you back– May God bless you– Your ever affecte

Thank you, thank you for all your loving words– All welcome.

Address: À Mademoiselle / Mademoiselle Fanny Haworth / Via Rigattieri 1595– / Pisa.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.

1. Date provided by a Pisa receiving stamp of 16 March 1858, a Tuesday.

2. Presumably, EBB has in mind the coming Thursday (18 March), in which case Miss Haworth’s recurring poor health may have delayed her a week. According to the Monitore toscano for 27 March 1858, she arrived in Florence from Pisa on either 24 or 25 March. For this and other annotations that draw upon Italian sources in the present volume, the editors gratefully acknowledge the scholarly assistance of Simonetta Berbeglia, of Arezzo, Italy.

3. “Think about it.”

4. Giovanni Lotti (1812–76); see letter 3962, note 2.

5. EBB refers to one of the talking points in the debates concerning the Conspiracy to Murder Bill (see letter 4130, note 14).

6. Although Home recorded his stay with the Crossmans in Pisa (see letter 4145, note 6), he made no mention of stopping at Florence during this period. EBB evidently got her information about Home’s visit from the Trollopes, who “met up briefly” with him (see Waddington, p. 449).

7. Frederick Tennyson believed that spiritual manifestations were real but “purely develish … & prefatory to the second coming” (letter 3183).

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