4216. EBB to Sophia Eckley
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 178–180.
Maison Versigny, 2 Rue de Perry [1]
Havre.
July 23. [1858] [2]
Darling Sophie, I seem lost in the wood till you have the end of the clue– But we have been wandering about the world, since I wrote from Paris, not finding rest for the sole of the foot. [3] We went to Etretat—where things were so wretched in point of civilization, and so dear to make up for it, that we came on to Havre, thinking to turn on the railroad & go backward to Dieppe. Etretat has a pretty country, & a picturesque rocky coast [4] —no sands, & such a restricted bay that one felt put into a focus to be gazed at by one’s fellow-visitors who had nothing else to do but gaze at one. Really there was nothing else to do– I should have been a fly in everybody’s microscope & have had my arms & legs counted for the general scientific instruction—and this, by way of living in a quiet secluded place. In the Baths of Lucca you hide yourself in the woods, you lose yourself in the mountains, and you are not vexed– But in a narrow bay, “commanded” by an hotel (ever so primitive), and half a dozen villas, you cant escape eyes—that’s very clear– So in despair, on we came to this roaring commercial town of Havre, thinking to turn back to Dieppe as I said,—when on enquiry we find, quite out & away from crowds & streets, plenty of bathing & accommodation for quiet residents—and we have settled ourselves in a house near the sea in the midst of a green garden,—airy rooms & at a cheaper rate than anything anyway acceptable at Etretat. I am very much better & stronger, even before I begin my salt douche—only to make me still better I want a letter from Sophie—dear & sweet as a benediction– Will it come soon?–
You received mine from Paris– Twice I wrote to you from Paris. [5] I ask because a letter I sent to Florence did not reach its address, and if it happened with you I should be grieved indeed– When you get this do write, dear– I want to hear how you are and your last account of yourself did not satisfy me– Do you feel tired now when you wake? Does the chest seem uncomfortable? Tell me exactly. And pray go to Florence to see Zannetti, if you are not well—& think that I am there (as I shall be in spirit) to draw you & thank you– I have not been out of doors since we arrived at this place– As you are not here to drive me out, I shall try to get a pony carriage of some kind to crawl about in & gather the full benefit of the sea-&-country air. We have engaged a French cook-bonne [6] with whom poor goodnatured Annunziata does her best to combine– It’s curious how well the French & Italians rub on together & understand one another, while an Englishwoman & Frenchwoman meet like water & oil– This place is very characteristic—and when my people come from England it will taste very French on their palate, .. the genuine flavour .. & not diluted as at Boulogne .. French & water–
Did I tell you that at Paris we met Mrs Jameson, & that she returned to England two days before we set out for Etretat– She spoke of you affectionately & talked of writing to you at Lucca as a thing to be done, begging me to give you her love in the meanwhile– We dined at a restaurant with her, & then drove in the Bois de Boulogne .. which by the way nearly destroyed me with fatigue– But I like Paris, and the half artist half gypsey life one can lead there, if one pleases– You take hold of humanity at the end where it cant hurt you by either staring or stinging—as they take up the pretty snakes, [7] you know– On our last evening in Paris, noble Charles Sumner came in & sate with us at the risk of taking one weak cup of tea– He was about to travel for two months & then was to return to his surgeon to be tortured again– [8]
Dearest dear Sophie, I love you tenderly—think that when you think of me—that ‘she loves you tenderly & truly’– Robert & Peni put in their love besides to all three of you, .. joined to this of mine–
Write—dont stop writing—and tell me—tell me of you in the body [9] —and then of your spiritual relations– I love you dearest Sophie—& am yours so–
Ba–
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
1. Sic, for Rue du Perrey. In letters that follow, EBB variously writes, “de Perry,” “de Perrey,” and “de Perri.”
2. Year provided by the return address; 1858 was the only year the Brownings stayed in Le Havre.
3. Cf. Genesis 8:9.
4. Étretat, about 17 miles N. of Le Havre on the Normandy coast, is “situated amidst rocks which have been excavated by the sea into arches, aiguilles, and other fantastic shapes” (Murray’s A Handbook for Travellers in France, 1858, p. 66).
5. Letters 4203 and 4212.
6. “Cook-maid.”
7. Cf. Mark 16:18.
9. Cf. II Corinthians 12:2.
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