4251. RB to Mary Mohl

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 244–245.

6. R. de Castiglione.

Monday Eg. [4 October 1858] [1]

My dear Made Mohl, [2]

I am as bearish & solitary as ever in the matter of dining—but I will go to you in the evening with great pleasure. [3] I fear my wife will be unable to mount stairs—she would be happy to see you, however, 10 or otherwise– [4]

In all haste, to save post-time, take the best thanks of

Yours faithfully ever,

Robert Browning.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. Date provided by RB’s reference to Mme. Mohl’s dinner; see note 3 below.

2. Mary Elizabeth Mohl (née Clarke, 1793–1883); see letter 2969, note 2.

3. The dinner took place on 6 October 1858, a Wednesday. Present were James Wilson, editor of The Economist, and his daughter Julia. The latter recorded in her diary that also in attendance were “Villemain, de Lavergne, Mrs. Phillimore, Mr. Robert Browning and Lady Augusta” (Emilie I. Barrington, The Servant of All, 1927, II, 125).

4. Mme. Mohl called on EBB the following day (see letter 4252).

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