4500. EBB to Sarianna Browning
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 26, 324–325.
[Siena]
[ca. 4 October 1859] [1]
Dearest Sarianna I must write one word (though I wrote so many yesterday) to assure you of my affectionate sympathy & the pain of the loss of that kind old friend Captain Pritchard, [2] whom, I know, you regret so tenderly– A gentle leave-taking of a painful life, suggests much room for thankfulness however,—and such, you will as certainly feel as any pain.
For the rest, we are grateful to him for his remembrance at the last. I do hope, Sarianna, that the money will not be clipped in the way threatened by the executor, & that you will be able to sink the whole in an annuity, as Robert and I strongly advise! Do not hesitate about it! You have only to consider yourself,—and it becomes your duty to consider only yourself– Even if you marry, (which I wish you would) it is best so: for if you marry a poor man you take so much more to the household, and if you marry a rich man, his posterity needs so much less of you. As to that small piece of posterity called Penini, he will be far too rich already as it is—too rich to please me, or to be happy for himself perhaps–
I boasted of the weather to you yesterday—that though hot it was no longer too hot– But really today we can not boast. The fire-red claw of the sun is on us, though it is October. Burning it is. And I am quite afraid of Mr Landor’s forcing us to keep our promise of going to Florence on saturday– Florence must be intolerable I should think. But Mr Landor is in the greatest haste to get there, as if he could live no where else. He wants to be settled, he says, anywhere where he can live on & die. He hates at his age to be wandering. Now his appartment is not ready, & we have sent to take some small dull rooms, [3] where he will miss the light & air of Siena. He had better wait here therefore—but if he wont——
Love to the dearest nonno.
Your affectionate as ever
Ba–
Robert & I quarrel as to who likes Siena best. I believe I do. I really enjoy it. Only mountains, (as at Lucca) delight me more in the way of scenery, than this still, quiet unmarked landscape. After all however I prefer this place to Lucca because of the greater seclusion, & also the healthfuller air– Yet Lucca is certainly cooler.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Lilly Library.
1. Approximate dating based on EBB’s first sentence.
2. Capt. James Pritchard (1789–1859) died on 19 September at Weymouth. He left Sarianna “all his books, manuscripts & papers, and a thousand pounds” (letter from Sarianna Browning to Joseph Milsand, [12 October 1859], ms at ABL/JMA).
3. In Casa Baranowsky at 1870 Via Maggio (see Appendix IV). Landor’s permanent apartment at 2671 Via Nunziatina was not ready until November.
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