Correspondence

4088.  RB to Gertrude FitzPatrick

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 24, 202–203.

[Florence]

Wednesday Mg– [ca. November 1857] [1]

Dear Miss FitzPatrick, [2]

I suppose there is no chance of good weather for our ride this afternoon– I will countermand the order for the Horses & hope for better things in a day or two.

Yours very sincerely

Robert Browning.

Address: Miss FitzPatrick / Hôtel de la Ville. [3]

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Eton College Library, Michael Meredith Collection.

1. Approximate date suggested by RB’s use of black sealing wax to seal the envelope, as was his practice for a year following the death of EBB’s father in April 1857, and by his reference to weather and horses. In letter 4096 EBB writes: “Robert is in a state of grave doubt about the weather & the horses.”

2. Gertrude FitzPatrick (afterwards Smyth, 1831–1912), eldest daughter of John Wilson FitzPatrick, later (1869) 1st Baron Castletown.

3. In the Piazza Manin, Florence.

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