4534. Joel Tanner Hart to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 27, 54–55.
Florence
Dec 6– 1859
Mr Browning
Dear Sir–
Some months ago the Hon Horace Greeley, [1] Editor of the N. York Tribune (an old acquaintance of mine) addressed me a letter,—in which he requested me to call on you and beg to know in his behalf, whether you had any unpublished litterary [sic] works, which you intended for the press– I have mislaid his letter in some way and defer[r]ed calling on you until I might find it, which I have been unable to do. In his letter as I remember, he states that he is “one among the numbers who considers Robert Browning the greatest living poet.”
Mr Greeley requested me to bring him such information on this subject on my visit to New York, as you might have the kindness to give. I start from here for that port in eight or ten days from this time, and should you think proper to drop me a note to Florence it will be very greatfully [sic] received, trusting you will pardon the liberty I take in trespassing this much upon your time.
I beg that Mrs Browning will accept with your self my highest consideration.
Very obediently
Yours
Joel T. Hart [2]
(Sculptor)
Robert Browning Esq
Rome Italy.
Docket: Robert Browning, Rome / For Horace Greel[e]y N.Y.
Publication: None traced.
Source: Author’s draft at University of Chicago.
1. Horace Greeley (1811–72), founder and editor of the New-York Tribune.
2. Joel Tanner Hart (1810–77), American sculptor and poet, who in 1849 became part of the artistic and literary community of Florence, where he lived for the remainder of his life. During his visit to the United States, Hart attended the unveiling of his bronze statue of Henry Clay at New Orleans on 12 April 1860 (see The Kentucky Encyclopedia, ed. John E. Kleber, Lexington, Kentucky, 1992, p. 415).
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