4480. RB to Sophia Landor
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 26, 276–277.
Siena,
Aug. 31. ’59.
Dear Miss Landor,
Indeed I cannot say how grateful you make me: pray express to your Uncles my truest thanks for their confidence in a mere stranger like myself. I daresay it will be of little use attempting to explain to you all that the services you so overestimate are a very simple matter and are amply repaid by half of the acknowledgements you please to bestow on them:—you probably prefer seeing them in that light. The truth is, I would have done my best to make Mr Landor comfortable for his own sake: and as it now turns out,—suffer me to say I would do as much on the grounds yourself furnish. On the proposal contained in your note, I have only a word or two to observe. Mr Forster was the first to mention that £200 would, in all likelihood, be the sum contributed, from whatever quarter, for Mr Landor’s subsistence: so far as I can at present judge, it will amply suffice. At present, with the absence of any temptation to expense, it would more than suffice: but the circumstances will be different in Florence, and it may be safer to begin our housekeeping with a certain latitude of allowance: of the additional sum which you so generously offer, there will certainly be no need. You understand, that my business is not to receive for and deliver to Mr Landor a particular sum, but to make him comfortable and secure against contingincies [sic],—using, therefore, your liberality so far—and no farther. What is over at the quarter’s end, I will lay by against the future. At the same time, do not fear that I will exercise too pinching an economy– I should not carry out your own kind intentions so: but, as I say, I fully expect to be able to do this to everybody’s satisfaction and yet keep well within £200: it is, however, an experiment, and you shall be duly informed how it succeeds, so that we may regulate our proceedings accordingly. You must allow me to trouble you with a simple statement of expenditure at the quarter’s end: it shall not be a pedantic affair—but just a transcript of the memorandum I must in any case keep for my own guidance: and I cheerfully permit you to consider me as obliged by your acquiescence in my request. And now I will give you the news of your Uncle. He is quite well, quiet & apparently satisfied with everything. Things, indeed, almost go on too well—so kind and thankful for the least attention does he appear,—so easily to be managed, too. I have only acquainted him with the fact of my being authorized to incur all necessary expense on his account: the extent to which I could go, is better left uncommunicated. His projects and wishes are most moderate: he is looking forward with eagerness to the superintendence of Mrs Wilson (Made Romagnoli)—the servant I spoke of: she is staying with me for a few days for the purpose of trying how far our plan was likely to suit, and, to my great relief, her appearance has produced the best impression: he desires to find himself in her hands immediately: I expected this would be the case, but the success is complete. I shall now look out for a lodging in Florence, whither we all go in a month. I have had no further communication with Mrs Landor: all that you suggest in excuse of her conduct, and that of her children, I receive in every confidence. I do not think Mr Landor feels malignantly, nor permanently hostile to them: they are at no pains, unfortunately, to bring out any kinder feeling on his part, but keep up an unnecessary irritation by refusing to send his books, plate &c. He seems to want nothing else: and they do not even answer his applications. Mrs Landor justifies this on the ground of the impertinence of a letter which dispenses with the ordinary “Dear Arnold”—so writes Mr Kirkup. This is all very melancholy.
I will add, in reply to your kind enquiries, that my wife, who has been seriously ill, seems slowly but surely regaining strength. She thanks you very sincerely for your sympathy. I must break off—for Mr Landor is here to dine with her for the first time—though he is protesting against it vehemently “in her present state”! Pray believe me with renewed regard to your Family,
Yours very faithfully
Robert Browning.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Yale University.
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