Correspondence

4376.  EBB to Sophia Eckley

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 26, 112.

[Rome]

[?2 April 1859] [1]

My dearest Sophie, I am afraid of the air today– Thank you, dear, thank you. But this does’nt imply, does it, that I must miss you altogether? I am not afraid of you, who have not a breath of tramontana in you. Come then.

Peni waits with his poor lessons. Only time to congratulate you on Miss Vanini’s reasonableness– [2]

Your Ba

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Berg Collection.

1. Conjectural dating suggested by EBB’s reference to the “breath of tramontana” and to “Miss Vanini [sic, for Verini].” In a diary entry of 2 April 1859, Sophia Hawthorne notes a “fine cold day” (see SD2255), a rarity in the Roman spring. In letter 4442, EBB implies that Mrs. Eckley’s son had the benefit of “Miss Verini’s influence” only recently, and for a short time.

2. Spelled correctly in subsequent letters as “Miss Verini.” She is listed in F.S. Bonfigli’s Guide to the Studios in Rome (Rome, 1860) under “French Teachers”: “Miss Verini (English), daily Governess, teaching all the usual branches of education. Address, n. 80, via delle Carrozze, 1st floor” (p. 122).

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