4688. RB to William Wetmore Story & Emelyn Story
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 28, 42–43.
Florence,
June 15. ’60.
Dear friends,
Truest thanks for your kindness,—the letter & the package brought by Mr Field. [1] You had not received the letter [2] which reached you, I hope, the day of his departure: I gave it to “Pipetta,” [3] the last thing, to put into the post, as we left Siena: if it have miscarried,—I may say briefly that we travelled prosperously thro’ a beautiful country and that I, leaving Ba to rest herself, saw wonderful things at Orvieto & Chiusi. [4] She was too fatigued to proceed at once to Florence from Sinalunga– We stayed twenty four hours at Siena, & reached Florence happily this day last week. Since then, she has not left the house, nor do I press it on her,—considering that repose is best for her just now. I have ended our negotiation with Alberti,—for three months on the old terms with some advantages,—and we are to be there by the 7th of June [5] at latest: joy to our reunion!
You have been perfectly good in executing all our commissions so exactly. Can I make you any sort of return in kind—do nothing for you here? Shall we really see nothing of you in Florence? The weather is very cool, & it would be pleasant to go about with you. We liked Mr Field much—all but in the shortness of his stay: by this time you have lost dear Wild, too– I would have gone down for one goodbye day,—pleasant—painful as it might be,—but there is so much for me to do here,—after an absence & before an absence, you understand! I have been writing for so many half hours this morning that the pen quite refuses to do better than in the scrawling you see! So I will just say that I found Landor quite well,—very affectionate to us & to you. I will take care of the (interesting) papers & letters, & bring them with me—but most thanks for the two photographs—so admirable, we all think.
Ba has not yet delivered your letter to the Duchessa di Casigliano—but will do so the first day she can go out. Her best love to you all—with mine & Pen’s– He was proud indeed of dear Edie’s letter. I hope Mrs Eldridge & your Brother [6] have borne the journey well. It will be only like your kindness to write a word to tell us how & where you are–
Ever yours affectionately RB.
Publication: BAF, pp. 59–60.
Manuscript: University of Texas.
1. John W. Field (1815–87) of Philadelphia, who spent much time in Europe, was a friend of Story. The package contained the photographs of EBB and Pen.
3. Presumably a servant at the Brownings’ hotel in Siena.
4. See letter 4678, notes 1 and 4.
5. Sic, for July.
6. George Eldredge and Hannah Eldredge (née Smalley); see letter 4661, note 9.
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