4692. EBB to George Goodin Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 28, 47–48.
Florence.
June 16. [1860] [1]
My beloved George I have an opportunity of sending to England in a stray Chapman (publisher) who comes here on business, to see after Lever’s affairs, whose books dont sell, & who will persist in keeping three carriages at the expence of his publisher– Dearest dear George, I have been thinking much of you lately, hearing from Arabel that the “dogs of Law[”] [2] have been too much for your health lately & that you have given them all up & gone into seclusion– [3] Dearest George, I dont like hearing of it at all– It may be well to give up hard work but I should like you to look about for some situation for which your legal ability would qualify you, & which would secure to you both comparative repose & moderate occupation. I fear that you who are used to work, will find the time heavy otherwise. Meanwhile, why not come abroad?– I should say, why not catch up Arabel on your back & bring her out here,—only perhaps during these troubled times it may seem a selfish entreaty– Like inviting a friend to take a cool place on the volcano beside one!– In fact, the probabilities are not favorable to peace, even in Central Italy. I myself am far less anxious here than I should be at a distance,—but then I am peculiar, it seems, & liable to mad illusions about peoples & their chiefs– Just now, we are full of Garibaldi—living & dreaming Garibaldi– My hopes are strong– There must be a struggle,—and then forwards for the unity of Italy– Meanwhile, be sure it is much more interesting here than at Budleigh Salterton, [4] in spite of the Volunteers, & the myth on which they are founded–
Chapman junior says that I have not hurt myself by the Congress poems which promise to go soon into a second edition, & which people praise for ‘pluck’. Write to me George, & tell me what your plans are– We shall remain here till early in July, & then we go to Siena for the hot season– We could & would make ever so much room for you– We go to our villa of last year which is roomy & cool .. for Italy. We should open our doors & arms to you—& have books for you from the Florence library,—& you could go to sleep undisturbed when the sun was overhot—To say nothing of stray fans & water-melons. What could you want more?
And here are our photographs– Pen is Pen himself– I am rather black—but what then?– Read the Mill on the Floss. Its better I think than Adam Bede– Read Anthony Trollope’s books. They are admirable. I hear of the spirits in London doing wonders. Shall I complete my popularity by writing a work on them?
May God bless you, George– I cant write a word more today.
Your ever loving
Ba–
Robert[’s] best love & Pen’s– Pen is to have his Abbé at Siena & go on with Latin & poney[.] The poney was rather overtired (like me) by a fifty miles journey in the sun one day, & from thirty to forty the two next, till we reached the railroad.
Address: George G. Moulton Barrett Esqre
Publication: B-GB, pp. 233–235.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. Year provided by EBB’s reference to Poems Before Congress.
2. EBB puns on “dogs of war” (Julius Caesar, III, 1, 273).
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