4173. RB to George Mignaty

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 116–117.

[Florence]

Monday. [10 May 1858] [1]

My dear Mr Mignaty,

I have to throw myself on your goodness & intreat you to forgive my stupidity. I perceive, by referring to my cheque-book, than [sic, for that] in my hurry the other evening I made one of my usual arithmetical blunders—which I trust you will allow me to rectify. What trouble I give you in return for your kindness! But you will, I know, try & excuse

Yours ever faithfully & obligedly

Robert Browning.

Did I say that I have informed Mr Ogilvy of the completion of his picture?

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze.

1. Dated by RB’s explanation of a payment made to Mignaty and by the reference to David Ogilvy’s picture. RB was taking drawing lessons from Mignaty “two evenings” a week (see the third paragraph in letter 4164), and RB’s account book for this period records a payment to Mignaty of 20 francesconi on 3 May (see Appendix IV). The last line of this letter indicates that Mignaty had fulfilled Ogilvy’s commission (presumably, a copy of a painting—see letter 4130, note 5). By letter 4184, the picture was ready for transport to England.

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