4579. RB to William Makepeace Thackeray
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 27, 144.
Rome, Via del Tritone, 28.
Jan. 17. ’60.
Dear Thackeray,
Your note [1] proved to be one of the Roundabout papers, [2] —reaching us after a stoppage in Florence, besides: and now it is here, we feel embarrassed by everything but your kindness in the matter—for, what do you think? On this table are two other requests from Editors to try our luck & test their liberality. As for me,—I really know exactly the way to treat such compliments as they deserve & yet do the Editor no harm,—have so often taken it, indeed, in my capacity of pianiste when pressed to contribute to the enjoyment of an evening-party: but my wife’s performances have a different effect & need cause nobody to repent of their goodnature. May we have it so—that if she finds herself at any time provided with what is likely to suit your book, she may send it & be sure of the most benignant inclination of your brow? In whatever the event, take our truest thanks & best wishes. We received the extravagant gift of two copies,—or was the publisher’s intent that we should not fight for first read?
Give our kind regards to your Daughters and tell them the boy, they & you were so good to, rides like a man.
Ever yours faithfully,
Robert Browning.
Publication: NL, pp. 125–126.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
2. The name of Thackeray’s series of sketches and essays, published in The Cornhill Magazine from 1860 to 1863. “Roundabout Papers.—No. I,” entitled “On a Lazy Idle Boy,” appeared in the inaugural issue on 1 January 1860 (pp. 124–128).
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