4523. EBB to Isa Blagden

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 27, 40.

[Florence]

[?25] [November 1859] [1]

Ever dearest Isa, I decide against the flannels– Indeed Annunziata says they are not as cheap as some wider ones at seven pauls– So perhaps the Wilson dress had better be taken from either the blue or violet colour you brought here—unless one of those “prettier” dresses (which the man would not bring) should be really preferred by you– Dear, buy whichever pleases you .. I trust you entirely .. and let me have the bill .. or I will repay you—just as you like. Cast your eyes over any warm thing to make a skirt for myself, me– Flannel might be the best– Only dont vex yourself, dear, too much–

Oh—how sorry I am for you in the Cottrell affair– What was the meaning of .. “no party—only a few friends—& everybody in high dresses–” Why should such things be said to lead people into nets? (not for the hair.) But my Cinderella looked very well in spite of all—& the whole world could see that she might have put on the glass-slipper, had she pleased.

Weather changed—we shall be gone soon– Why not come before you go to the Trollopes?

In all love your

Ba–

Be charitable & help some naughty people to get out of the naughtiness– Be great-hearted as ever, Isa–

So pleased I am by your kindest thoughts of the poor poem. [2]

Publication: B-IB, p. 254.

Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.

1. Conjectural date suggested by EBB’s remark: “Weather changed.” In letter 4524 she writes of “a break” in the weather.

2. Possibly a reference to “Where’s Agnes?”—EBB’s verses on Sophia Eckley, published in Last Poems (1862). EBB’s comments in letter 4667 imply that Isa had read the poem.

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