4697. RB to William Wetmore Story, Emelyn Story & Edith Story
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 28, 54–55.
Florence,
June 19. ’60.
Dear Friends,
We received Edie’s note—& only put off thanking her & you for it, & for so much beside, in order to be able to tell you that Ba had executed your commission & carried your notes to the Duchess of Casigliano: it seems strange to say that she has only just done this,—having left the house for the first time this morning. Not that she felt unwell after the journey—but simply tired—so I let her rest. She is now quite well & strong again. We were both of us delighted with those earnest, engaging & perfectly good young great people: [1] Ba intends to write to you directly—& will tell you more about them & other persons & things—but I am determined to send a word without further delay—because a word back again will oblige us so much: for we want to know how you are, how you like your house, [2] —what you please to tell us, in short. I suppose,—you got my letters at last—not only the one I sent from Siena but the other from Florence, [3] —& that you know all is arranged with Alberti about the three months’ occupation “to begin July 7. at latest”– It is very cool here just now, but the heats will begin presently & we shall go on the first warning. I fear Landor will be best let alone—tho’ I have not made up my mind: he is very comfortable & cool where he is—very cheerful & satisfactory in most respects—he took tea with us last night & sent me a copy of verses, the first thing this morning, “made before his breakfast”– “Lead from Casa Guidi Windows,” [4] he calls them. We find very few friends here—the Forbes [5] remain, & the Westons [6] are just arrived: shall I transfer to them that most interesting letter of Mrs Apthorpe’s—who, I observe, desires that they may read it?
Do you indeed, as dear Edie pleases to assure us, miss our neighbourliness (what word must I use?) Be assured I want your presence quite as much & more. We all look forward to three happy, productive months at Marciano. [7] I found Frederick Chapman here, nephew of our Publisher—& he has rather quickened our laziness—he talks about new editions & other encouragement. Aurora Leigh’s Fifth is getting ready & the second of “Before Congress” is imminent. We had to get ready some dozen of packets for him, & so turn his presence & departure to account—this must explain our silence since we arrived. I have got my cast from the face of “Keats” [8] —such a beautiful & characteristic thing. I wish you could see it, & am not prevented bringing it to Siena by any other consideration than that of the fear of a smash—that would be dreadful indeed. One could photograph it well, could one not?
I look up to ask Ba what I shall say on her behalf, till she can dispense with my help—& lo she is asleep! No. Pen has waked her up with a question about his riding—so she sends her best love with mine, and repeats that she is very tired. So goodbye—till you write again—kindest regards to Mrs Eldgridge & Mr Eldridge, [9] —I hope they are enjoying themselves. Do give me something to do for you, if you don’t go to Florence yourselves.
Ever yours, most affecti<onately> [10]
Robert Browning.
(see this paper, which it is too late to change![)]
Publication: BAF, pp. 61–63.
Manuscript: Keats-Shelley Memorial Association.
1. i.e., the Duke and Duchess of Casigliano (see letter 4438, note 19).
2. At Leghorn, where the Storys stayed before moving on to Siena in July.
3. Letters 4678 and 4688.
4. The verses sold as part of lot 243 in Browning Collections, where they are described as “about Syracuse and Garibaldi” and dated “June 29 [sic, for 19]” (see Reconstruction, L150).
5. Christina Frances Forbes (1810–99) and Georgina Elizabeth Forbes (1818–95), of Aberdeen, daughters of Colonel Arthur Forbes (1760–1850) and his wife, Isabella (née Macleod, 1787–1856). The sisters spent their winters in Italy. They are listed in the Brownings’ address book of this period (AB-4) at “Casa Grazzini.”
6. Presumably, Hervey Weston (see letter 4661, note 10) and one or more of the Weston sisters (see letter 4661, note 9).
7. The district outside Siena in which Villa Alberti is located.
8. A life mask of Keats, which sold as lot 1394 (described as a death mask) in Browning Collections (see Reconstruction, H545). RB wrote of it to Harry Buxton Forman on 28 April 1884: “The very fine and characteristic Cast from the face of Keats, by Haydon,—as I believe,—was a gift to me while at Florence from Dante Rossetti” (ms at Pforzheimer).
9. George Eldredge and Hannah Eldredge; see letter 4661, note 9.
10. Obscured by ink blot.
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