4761. RB to Reuben Browning
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 28, 197–198.
Florence,
Oct. 13. ’60.
My dear Reuben,
Here we are again after a return two days ago from Siena: my wife’s health is much improved tho’ the continued anxiety respecting the health of one of her sisters (who is suffering under a lingering & painful disease) has prevented her gaining the full advantage from the fine summer we have had—or at least, the coolest.
You kindly wrote to me last July, giving me our “accounts” up to the 10th most satisfactorily—& it resulted that you held at my disposal £66. 3s 0. I have purposely forborne to draw for this till I could add to it the October divd,—now, I suppose due, together with the trifle for the E. counties railway, if it has come in: will you have the goodness to apprise me of what these amount to? The fluctuating arrangements for taxing prevent my doing more than guess at the sum that will be due. [1] As soon as you can let me know, I shall be glad to draw for it, as usual, at 30 days date, thru Carlo Brini, [2] old clerk & now successor of poor Philipson, for we are about to go to Rome for the winter.
I also enclose you the authorisation so coveted by Messrs Boddington for the payment to you of our divd from the “David Lyon”—so that whenever that blessing befalls us, you will not have to wait before receiving it.
How are you & yours? How indistinct seem my days of Hatcham life in the distance of fifteen years! But not so the many kindnesses from you that helped to make them pleasant. Take my wife’s best love to you all with that of
Yours affecly ever
Robert Browning.
I am forced to trouble you to write at once, as our stay here is so uncertain.
Publication: The Times Literary Supplement, 6 June 1952, p. 377.
Manuscript: National Library of Scotland.
2. Carlo Brini (1816–83), the Brownings’ Florentine banker and financial agent, succeeded Abramo Philipson (1805–60) after his death on 18 March.
___________________
