Correspondence

4698.  EBB & RB to Frederic Chapman

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 28, 56.

June 21. ’60.

Dear Chapman,

I daresay this will arrive in time for the new edition: my wife, on a less hasty examination of the book, found that she had made a great mistake in correcting page. 291. fourth line from top, “gauntly”—so it must remain [1] —& not “grandly,” as she fancied she had written. She sends the enclosed list of errata which, if you will kindly manage to supervise, we shall both of us be most obliged. [2]

My little boy was much indebted to you for your kindness to him at Pisa. [3] We all hope you will return to Italy at no distant day, being confident that the more you know it the better you will like it.

Ever yours faithfully,

Robert Browning.

No “Athenæum” yet! Best remembrances to your Uncle. [4] Don’t forget your promise to write at once.

[Continued by EBB]

Dear Mr Chapman, Dont forget the second thoughts you promised about Miss Blagden’s mss, [5] as we wont forget you– You were very good to little Penini–

EBB—

I was a little distracted about ‘grandly’ & [‘]‘gauntly”– Pray leave it as it was printed—

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Manuscripts Division, New York Public Library.

1. Aurora Leigh (4th ed., 1859), VII, 442: “—Hills, slung forth broadly and gauntly everywhere.”

2. The “errata” consisted of thirteen corrections, none of which were incorporated in the fifth edition of Aurora Leigh (1860); see Aurora Leigh, ed. Margaret Reynolds (1992), p. 121.

3. It appears that RB and Pen accompanied Chapman to Pisa, prior to his departure for England on or about 18 June (see the last paragraph in letter 4699).

4. Edward Chapman, who was actually an older cousin.

5. Agnes Tremorne (1861).

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