4537. RB to Edward Chapman
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 27, 66.
Rome, Via del Tritone 28.
Dec 8. ’59
Dear Chapman,
Here we winter again, you see—rolling stones &c. However, it was judged a necessary move for my wife’s sake, & we made it accordingly. Will you have the kindness to direct the “Athenæum” to Odo Russell Esq Via Sistina, 64, Rome (not putting in a word about me.) I got last number (Nov. 26) with a leaf cut out [1] by these absurd cut-asses who care for our consciences so superiorly according to Cullen & the like of him. [2] (N.B. This goes by our own bag!)
We are in good, sunny rooms—with little fear of a rush of visitors, Rome being empty. You were properly conscious of my forbearance—in your last note—when you wondered I had not “touched you up as usual” in the little matter of our last account: the truth is I had something else to think about just then—but, to make amends, nothing will so exclusively engage my attention in a couple of weeks or so: do please, therefore, contribute to the hilarity of Christmas as much as in you lies [3] and be as prompt and obliging as you can. What is this book of Lytton’s you are printing? [4] I wish him & you every success, you know.
Yours faithfully ever
Robert Browning.
Publication: None traced.
Source: Transcript in editors’ file.
2. Paul Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin (see letter 4525, note 12).
3. Cf. Romans 12:18.
4. Robert Bulwer Lytton’s Lucile, a novel in verse form, was published under his pseudonym, Owen Meredith, by Chapman and Hall on 12 April 1860.
___________________
