4255. RB to Edward Chapman
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 249–250.
Paris, Rue de Castiglione. 6.
Oct. 7. [1858] [1]
My dear Chapman,
I see you advertise Aurora Leigh with a note 4th Edit. in the press. [2] —We go away at the beginning of next week, and many a thing that could be easily managed here, may take trouble to effect from Florence or Rome: my wife wants particularly to change a word or two.
You say nothing about the portrait. [3] —I can’t help thinking you might improve the looks of the book by putting it in—you know best. And what form of print, & price do you decide on? [4] Write a word, pray. I suppose your “Frederick” is an admirable book from the bits of it I have seen as yet– [5] That’s right. Thackeray is here:—I count on leaving next Tuesday.
Yours faithfully
Robert Browning
Publication: NL, p. 112.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. Year provided by reference to the return address; 1858 was the only year the Brownings stayed at 6 Rue de Castiglione.
2. The advertisement appeared in Chapman and Hall’s periodical, The National Review, October 1858, p. 8. The fourth edition of Aurora Leigh was not published until 11 June 1859.
3. i.e., the Macaire photograph. In letter 4246 RB suggested “an Engraving of it for the next ‘Aurora Leigh’.”
5. The first two volumes of Thomas Carlyle’s The History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Called Frederick the Great (6 vols., 1858–65) was published by Chapman and Hall in September 1858. Doubtless, RB had seen a lengthy two-part review of Frederick in The Athenæum of 18 and 25 September (no. 1612, pp. 351–354 and no. 1613, 388–390), as well as a review in the issue of The National Review mentioned above (pp. 247–279).
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