Correspondence

4369. EBB to Euphrasia Fanny Haworth

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 26, 102–103.

[Rome]

[late March 1859] [1]

Dearest Fanny, Robert dines out with Mr Cartwright today, & therefore, Azy or no Azy, [2] he will find it impossible to go to you– So sorry I am that you should be unwell again—so very sorry!– As for me, I am buried in Peni’s lessons, & only put out my hand for a moment to write this.

I return Mr Spicer’s letter. Certainly his letters are first-rate as letters. How clever he is– ‘White Hands’ [3] has ability too, but it’s ability of a lower order—& if I were Mr Spicer, I would not condescend to use it. I wonder much how any of you great judges could for a moment consider it either a possible acting play, or even a good reading play– There’s a want of character .. and of passion .. mortal to it, I think.

Ever your affectionate Ba–

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.

1. This letter falls sometime after the publication date of White-Hands (see note 3 below) and before the departure of William Cornwallis Cartwright from Rome on 5 April (see letter 4378). We place it later in that period to allow for a copy of White-Hands to reach Rome from London.

2. i.e., Adelaide Eliza Scott Ironside (1831–67), known by her initials AESI.

3. White-Hands. A Legend of German Chivalry. A Tragedy in Five Acts by Henry Spicer was published on 12 March 1859 (see The Athenæum of that date, no. 1637, p. 366), notwithstanding an imprint of 1856.

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