4465. RB to Isa Blagden
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 26, 247–248.
Siena,
Aug. 11. ’59.
Dearest Isa,
Both your letters, the thick no earlier than the thin one, reached me this morning: I make haste to send you Lytton’s letters: [1] they were written nearly two months ago in consequence of our notice of his Poems. I never could make out why he did not forthwith despatch epistles to all three of us—and, you see, he really did, whatever has been the reason of the delay in getting them. There is nothing to answer in our share of his labours, but you will satisfy him as your good heart prompts you. You will, I hope, have just received Ba’s little note sent this morning the first thing. [2] She continues better,—the cough does almost cease to torment her, but she remains very weak: the intense heat does not help the case. I may say, however, that she improves quite as much as could be expected in the time. We get plenty of fresh wind, spite of the heat, and are no doubt well off here: Ba has seen no one, as yet. Mr Landor is established close at hand. I see him every now & then. I receive satisfactory letters from Forster & L’s niece [3] in England. I believe I am to have the poor dear old man permanently “added to my portion” as the Methodists phrase it. You do the sister-of-charity business generally—and I am bound to act my best on “Mr Browning’s First & Only Appearance in that Character, at Particular Request,”—I hope I may add, “The Performance being exclusively for the Benefit of a distinguished Member of the Company”– His son [4] has sent in the “account”– Oh! Kirkup who transmits it to me uses sundry flowers of language about it, whereof the one that best suits your bouquet is that “Such a beastly mess he never saw!”– I had also a letter this morning from Annette—she is at “Stone House, Broadstairs” [5] —which I mention because she says you do not write: yet you did, I feel sure. She says nothing about her health, but is going to Scotland & Ireland. Mrs Bracken is in London & Mrs Mackenzie still in Rome. Give my kindest regard to Dr Grisanowski—I mean to write in reply to his note—only to-day I have been uninterruptedly busy for I don’t know how many hours: Ba’s true thanks accompany mine: & her love goes to you also with that of yours ever affectionately
R Browning.
Ba’s love & mine to Miss Field: as she collects autographs give her the note of L. to me. [6]
Publication: B-IB, pp. 226–227.
Manuscript: British Library.
1. These letters have not been traced.
4. Presumably, Landor’s eldest son, Arnold.
5. The country residence of Isa Blagden’s and Annette Bracken’s aunt, Mary Alexander (née Bracken, 1790–1867); see letter 3614, note 2.
6. i.e., the letter from Robert Lytton.
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