4597. Walter Savage Landor to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 27, 170–171.
[Florence]
[6 February 1860] [1]
Dear Browning,
Mr Field[s] has been in Florence several days, [2] but it was only yesterday that I saw him– He dines with me today, [3] and I shall also be honored by the company of his beautiful wife. I waited for him to show you in Rome the latin verses I have written, some within these few days, and others earlier. I hope he will print them in America, where he promises to get inserted in some periodical my Defence. [4] The want of this being generally known has made me unhappy for nearly two years– I care infinitely less for my character as an author than as a man and gentleman. You will be pleased with the last of these latin poems, and with the Iphigeneia in the English. [5] Last morning I accompanied Miss <Blagden> to Mr Fullers– [6] She made me very happy by telling me she had recieved from Mrs Browning a letter which informed her of Mrs Browning’s improved health. The Dragoon, I know, is doing all he should do, remembering that he is now Eques Romanus. [7]
Ever yours
WSL
No copies of my book yet arrived. [8]
Address: R. Browning Esq / Rome.
Publication: BBIS-5, p. 43 (without assigned date).
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. Date provided by Landor’s mention of the visit from James T. Fields. Annie Fields records this visit in a diary entry for 5 February 1860: “Jamie and I drove to call upon Walter Savage Landor. He remembered Jamie at once although it is 10 years since they met” (ms at MHS).
2. According to Annie Fields, she and her husband arrived in Florence on 15 January, three weeks before they called on Landor (Diary entry for 15 January 1860, ms at MHS).
3. Landor was either mistaken about the day, or the day was changed. The Fieldses dined at his apartment the next day, 7 February 1860 (see Annie Fields’s diary entry for that date, ms at MHS).
5. This “Iphigeneia” has not been traced.
6. Charles Francis Fuller (1830–75), English sculptor, who studied under Hiram Powers.
7. “Roman knight,” a member of the cavalry in the early days of the Republic. Later, it signified a social rank, based on property and wealth, second only to that of a senator.
8. The Hellenics (1859).
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