4492. Dante Gabriel Rossetti to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 26, 306.
[London]
21st Sept. 1859
My dear Browning,
You know my friend Edward Jones very well; [1] only, being modest, he insists that you do not know him well enough to warrant his calling on you in Florence; & as this is to be one of the best of his many pleasures in his trip to Italy, I must even insure it to him by this note; which comes moreover as a very tardy return for several kind notes of yours. One of these introduced Major Gillum [2] to our circle, of which he became at once and remains a very valued member—only the other day asking, what news of you, & desiring his love to you on the first opportunity. Another note of yours, for which I have never yet thanked you, made me acquainted with Mr Page, [3] of whom I have so often heard you speak.
I have also to thank Mrs Browning most warmly for the second edition, [4] as for the first, of wonderful Aurora Leigh. I can recall my first feeling on reading that book, only as a sort of wonder that one should be able actually to know, as a person, the origin of so much that was new in the world. As for mere praise, that all passes through the mind and out of it again, without speaking, before one comes to the end of such a book, and leaves one to some different feeling which I can only remember as I say.
I wish most heartily that I were accompanying Jones & Prinsep [5] (whom Jones will introduce to you, and who therefore needs this note no more than he does) and so could see you both at home (with Pennini too double his size) sooner than I shall. But it cannot be just now I fear.
With love to you and yours then from all friends here, and in the hope that Jones will bring back the news what next you will give us to read & read again, I remain, dear Browning,
Yours most sincerely
D. G. Rossetti
Address: Robert Browning Esq / Casa Guidi / Florence.
Publication: Rossetti, 2, 271–272.
Manuscript: Huntington Library.
1. The Brownings met Edward Burne-Jones in October 1856; see SD1971 in vol. 23.
2. This letter has not surfaced. Rossetti mentions receiving it in a letter written the previous summer to Ford Madox Brown (see SD2184 in vol. 25).
3. This letter, too, has not surfaced. It would have probably been sent on 3 June 1859 along with other letters introducing William Page (see letters 4418 and 4419).
4. Sic, for fourth edition; see letter 4419, note 7.
5. Valentine Cameron Prinsep (1838–1904), painter influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites, was the second son of Henry Thoby Prinsep (1792–1878) and his wife, Sara (née Pattle, 1816–87).
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