4646. EBB to William Makepeace Thackeray

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 27, 272.

28– Via del Tritone– Rome–

April 13– [1860] [1]

Dear Mr Thackeray, you asked me too long ago for a contribution to your magazine—too long ago in every sense perhaps– For here is my husband who suggests that, being in very ill odour with you all in England just now, (scarcely bettered by a mis[s]tatement in the Athenæum) [2] I may not be welcome between the wind & your nobility [3] at Cornhill–

But in that case you will return my verses enclosed, [4] & no harm will be done—if indeed it is no harm to send love to dear Annie & Minnie .. whom I never forget–

Yes,—and dont I remember Mr Thackeray’s kindness to little Penini?—who grows big, & is learning Latin, & riding a poney, & is not much changed otherwise–

With my husband’s regards,

I remain

Most sincerely yours

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

where we shall be till the end of May– [5] Then we return to Florence.

Publication: The Letters and Private Papers of William Makepeace Thackeray, ed. Gordon N. Ray (Cambridge, Mass., 1945–46), 4, 184.

Manuscript: Berg Collection.

1. Year provided by EBB’s reference to The Athenæum (see note 2 below).

2. In the issue of 7 April 1860; see letter 4645, note 2.

3. Cf. I Henry IV, I, 3, 45.

4. “A Musical Instrument,” published in The Cornhill Magazine of July 1860 (pp. 84–85) and illustrated by Frederic Leighton. It was later collected in EBB’s Last Poems (1862).

5. EBB wrote the return address and date at the beginning of the line.

___________________