4333. EBB to Sarianna Browning
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 26, 60–62.
[Rome]
[Postmark: 15 February 1859]
I am sure Robert has been too long about writing this time, dearest Sarianna. It did not strike either of us till this morning, that it was so long. We have all been well,—& Robert is whirled round & round so, in this most dissipated of places (to which Paris is really grave & quiet) that he scarcely knows if he stands on his feet or his head. Fanny Haworth being joined in holy matrimony in Miss Heaton, are keeping honey-moon in a brilliant fashion. Miss Haworth has a certain advantage pecuniarily speaking, & Miss Heaton socially—but as is the case in nearly all such alliances, (even between relations & sympathetic friends) the advantages are on the surface, and the evils are deep & felt every moment– For my part, I would rather live on thirty pounds a year, & have silence, & liberty– But people who want to give parties at any price, must pay it without too much moaning.
Pen’s photograph has not reached us yet. [1] I have a new nephew,—& am to have a new sister in law: both, announced to me. [2]
Since Christmas day I have been out twice—once to see Mr Page’s gorgeous picture (just gone to Paris) [3] and once to run back again before the wind—but I am too susceptible– The weather has been glorious, to everybody with some common sense in their lungs– And today it is possible even to me, they say, and I am preparing for an effort.
Pen is quite well & rosy– Still we hear of illness, & I am very particular & nervous about him. All Mr Hawthorne’s family have been ill, [4] one after another & now he is struck himself with the fever. [5]
Let me remember to say how the professor’s letter seemed to say so much too much— [6]
Particularly just now. I for one can receive no compliments about “English honesty” &c—after the ignoble way we are behaving about Italy. I dare say dear M. Milsand (who does’nt sympathize much with our state) thinks it “imprudent” of the emperor to make this move, [7] but that it is generous & magnanimous he will admit– The only great-hearted politician in Europe—but chivalry always came from France. The emotion here is profound—&, the terror, among the priests–
Always I expected this from Napoleon—and, if he will carry out his desire, Peni and I are agreed to kneel down & kiss his feet. The pamphlet which proceeds from him is magnificent– [8] I said it long ago to Jessie White– I said it– “You would destroy,” said I, “the only man who has it in his heart & head to do anything for Italy.”
Most happily Robert’s & my protestation went to America in time—just before the present contingency. [9] Yes,—Jessie should not have permitted our names to be used so– Being passive even, was a fault—yes, & more than a fault–
Robert is in great spirits & very well indeed– Peni is going to write to you—puts it off from day to day—& talks of his nonno with unforgetting tenderness.
If you see Miss Hunter, will you ask her if she received a long letter from me in January. [10] I ask, because I addressed it to her former hostess– Miss Fitton sending people to us with letters of introduction speaks of her as a great favorite.
Tell the dear nonno with my love, I am reading a history of the Dutch republic by Motley—so that he shall sympathize with my reading for once– It is’nt all at the extreme points of Swedenborgianism & Balzacism, let him observe.
May God bless both of you– Arabel is probably alone in London by this time–
Ever your most affectionate
Ba--
Address, in RB’s hand: France. / Mademoiselle Browning / 151. Rue de Grenelle / Faubourg St Germain, / Paris.
Publication: LEBB, II, 307–308 (in part, as [about 1 February 1859]).
Manuscript: Lilly Library.
1. The expected photograph of Alexander Munro’s bust of Pen.
2. EBB refers to her brother Alfred’s son (see letter 4325, note 2) and her brother Octavius’s fiancée (see letter 4311, note 7).
3. “Venus Guiding Aeneas and the Trojans to the Latin Shore.”
5. Sophia Hawthorne’s journal entries of the preceding week indicate that Nathaniel Hawthorne had suffered from fever, severely enough to send for a physician. But he began to improve by 13 February, and on the day of this letter she recorded: “I went out with my husband” (ms at Berg).
6. We have been unable to clarify this statement or identify the “professor.”
7. i.e., a move to help Italy, as intimated in the “pamphlet” mentioned below.
8. L’Empereur Napoléon III et I’Italie; see letter 4332, note 9.
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