4520. Sophia Landor to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 27, 37.
3. Belmont, Bath.
Novr 17th [1859] [1]
My dear Sir
I am really greatly concerned to have delayed answering your letter so long, for I fear it must have caused you inconvenience. I forwarded the Will to my cousin Robert Landor, the day I received it, begging speedy reply, but I received none for many days, at last I wrote again & this morning I learnt that my first letter was received by my Cousin when he was starting on a journey of some importance & in the subsequent press of business was forgotten. [2] He expresses much regret, & says the Will is quite perfect, all that is required, he therefore retains it in his possession: & if the Holograph is an exact counterpart nothing now remains to be done, but the Registration you speak of. Pray accept most hearty thanks for all this as well as all other kind care. Most sincerely do I hope the delay has not caused you any serious inconvenience of [sic, for or] Mrs Browning any injury. As regards what you say about my Uncle’s Pictures, I will only say that I think I fully understand, respect & appreciate your feeling: on no consideration wld I do any thing that cld cast a shadow of a shade over the admirable position you hold with regard to my Uncle; the best Pictures in the world wld be dearly bought at such a price. I take the liberty of enclosing a note to him: I have received one from him [3] telling me of His approaching removal into the new Lodgings which I suppose is now accomplished, so henceforth I will direct there[.] I now write to tell him of the birth of a new Great Nephew. [4] I hope to correspond with him from time to time, tho’ alas! his letters are anything but satisfactory; but it is better he shld express his uncomfortable feelings to me than to any one else. I beg to offer my best regards to Mrs Browning, who I hope will get well through the winter, & you also.
Believe me ever
Sincerely & Gratefully Yrs
Sophia Landor
Address: Robert Browning Esqre / Casa Guidi / Via Maggio / Florence / Tuscany.
Docket, in RB’s hand: No 5.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Yale University.
1. Year provided by postmark.
2. See SD2304.
3. See SD2299.
4. Freke Guy Rashleigh Duke (1859–1907), youngest son of Robert Rashleigh Duke (1818–1908) and his wife, Ellen Savage Duke (née Landor, 1818–91), was born on 5 November. Ellen was Sophia Landor’s youngest sister.
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