4748. EBB to Isa Blagden
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 28, 162–163.
[Siena]
[ca. 23] [September 1860] [1]
Yes, yes, yes, dearest dear Isa—you are both [2] to come if you please.
The Storys too are coming—& the Landor department is included.
I wanted some quiet talk with you—but not a syllable shall I have probably–
The news is magnificent. The Constitutionel paragraph on the Pope’s flight especially pleased me– [3]
But that word of Congress frightens one rather [4] & Garibaldi is not wise, I fear. There are dangers– No letter today– [5]
Ever your loving Ba–
Publication: B-IB, pp. 363–364.
Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.
1. Dated by EBB’s reference to Le Constitutionnel (see note 3 below).
2. Isa’s companion may have been Mrs. Hooker.
3. The Times of 20 September 1860 published a translation of an article by A. Grandguillot that had appeared in Le Constitutionnel on 17 September (p. 1). EBB may have had in mind the following passage: “The flight of Pius IX … would be a moral desertion. For, after all, the King of Naples may explain his precipitate departure on motives of personal safety: those motives would be wanting to the Holy Father. It is well known at Rome that in the presence of our troops any insurrection is impossible. It is moreover known that the person and authority of the Pope are safe from any attack, protected as they are by the soldiers of France” (p. 10).
4. Rumors of a European congress were circulating in Rome at this time. Cardinal Antonelli was evidently desirous that one should be convened, and the following month the Duc de Gramont was advising the Vatican that a congress to be held in Paris was imminent (see The Roman Question, ed, Noel Blakiston, 1962, pp. 126 and 133). But such was not the case. EBB may have feared that a congress would impose conditions inhibiting the unification of Italy.
5. With news of Henrietta.
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