4518. EBB & RB to William Wetmore Story & Emelyn Story
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 27, 34–36.
p| [In RB’s hand] | Florence, |
Monday. [7 November 1859] [1]
Dear Friends,
We fear you must be fixed at Leghorn for a day or two longer, so black are the signs of this morning—& so take advantage of your stay to thank you, though but in a word, for all your kindness. We are quite of your mind about the objections to the proposed Rooms in the Corso, and are in no sort of hurry. We will gladly & gratefully wait for your report. Cartwright tells me to-day that he has taken the 2d floor (The Jones’) till June, and is anxious that we should profit by what he considers a good chance—but even his friendliness can’t bring the sun to that back bedroom, unluckily. Those streets leading to the Pincio are clearly preferable. Understand, therefore, that we shall relieve you of none of the trouble you are bent on burdening yourselves with, and shall decide on nothing till you arrive in Rome.
After all, if you linger by the sea some few days the good gained there will be so much the more confirmed. Such a day as is now inflicting itself on us! Re-enter Rome with fine weather if you can.
I have seen Jarves and been seen by him here one evening—and can assure you all is comfortably settled in the matter of the picture criticism: I also explained the thing to Kirkup.
I hope we may find an apartment the moment we go to Rome,—your offers are not the less gratefully received by us, you very well know—but I have only time to add that my wife’s best love & thanks go to you both with those of
Yours ever affectionately
Robert Browning.
[Continued by EBB]
I, for one, dear friends, have no feeling for the Corso—rather against it—though in case of disturbances I shall rather like than otherwise being “there to see”—yes, indeed. A sunshiney bedroom is just as necessary as a sunshiney salon– For the Gregoriana, [2] there is this objection– One cant get at carriages easily, I believe, & we are dependent on such conveniences– But your kindness and science together are to be trusted wholly– Nothing sunnier & pleasanter than the Bocca [3] can be found—only the sitting room is small, and the height great.
I congratulate you on your Urquhart [4] fanatic– There are fanatics of all colours, now-a-days. News from Naples are threatening in this Monitore just opened– Whoever goes mad among the enemies of Italy, she gets the advantage by it. May they go mad therefore–
As soon as the rain ceases & I can get out, I will go & see your charming little Duchess– [5] I like her & honor her house .. here in Florence, I mean.
Robert has’nt told you that whatever Can Giallo [6] may be doing poetically, his master is active– Robert might tell you that a poem on the goddess Diana [7] was produced the other day for instance, which had the peculiarity of being so exceedingly indecent (for Diana or any other goddess, or woman) that it might be objected to by less prudish critics than Monc[k]ton Milnes. [8] Robert might tell you of it, & might’nt [9] send it to you– Dear Edie! May God bless her.
Affectionately yours
EBB.
Publication: BAF, pp. 52–54 (as [October 29–November 23, 1859]).
Manuscript: Keats-Shelley Memorial Association.
1. Dated by RB’s and EBB’s references to possible residences in Rome, continuing the discussion in letter 4510. The 7th was the first Monday after a response from the Storys could have reached the Brownings.
2. Via Gregoriana.
3. 43 Via Bocca di Leone, where the Brownings resided during two previous stays at Rome.
4. David Urquhart (1805–77), Scottish-born diplomat, expert on Turkish affairs, and M.P. for Stafford (1847–52). He lectured and wrote about the immorality of war and was an outspoken critic of Palmerston’s foreign policy.
5. Duchess Casigliano (1840–1911), formerly Princess Barberini.
6. Landor’s dog, Giallo (d. 1872), a Pomeranian, given to him at Siena by William Wetmore Story (see R.H. Super, Walter Savage Landor: A Biography, New York, 1954, p. 479).
7. “A Dialogue in Verse between Diana and her Nymphs,” which sold in Browning Collections, as part of lot 240 (see Reconstruction, L141).
8. Milnes’s fine and extensive library contained a well-known collection of erotica (see James Pope-Hennessy, Monckton Milnes: The Flight of Youth, 1951, pp. 113–122).
9. Underscored three times.
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