4773. EBB to Robinia Matteucci
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 28, 209–211.
Florence– Casa Guidi. Via Maggio.
Monday– [5 November 1860] [1]
My dear Madame Matteucci,
I wish I could begin by begging you to come to rooms in this house—for indeed it would have made me happy to have had you near us– But no!—the hope breaks off! Every apartment here is let—& one I counted on in this street seems unavailable also. So I have nothing but a sentiment .. a feeling to send you back in answer to your most kind letter– You are very kind to me– I felt drawn to you, on my part, and would have asked you to let me hear of you sometimes, if it had not been for a reasonable recollection of the much writing you had to do, & to ends more important than pleasing me– You seemed sacred to the professor, [2] & therefore to the world. And I was wise enough to be a little humble.
Dear Mdme Matteucci, do come before we go away—for we are going to Rome next week, I think, .. as soon as this cold wind holds its breath & lets people travel. I want to talk to you of our Italy, & to hear that you are both glad of this, angry at that, & hopeful for this & that– Moscow is over, [3] but I doubt whether the world is as perfectly resigned to practise virtue as the optimists say– Of course nobody ever does attack now, though everybody defends himself or herself .. even Spain!– Still it is not clear to me that an aggressive war may not issue from the mutual defences on the Po .. sooner or later. [4]
I heard the other day from what sounded good authority, that the real reason of the French occupation of Viterbo &c was the discovery of a scheme of the Holy Father’s on the ground of not being defended, to escape to Gaeta [5] .. which would have stopped the Italian military proceedings. This came from Duke Cesarini [6] of Rome .. not likely to put a soft comment on any French deed. It was added that the occupation was perfectly temporary–
How eagerly & gratefully we shall receive any article written by the Professor,—& how good of him to think of pleasing us so!–
The Storys went to Rome this morning. Mr Landor, your “old lion” is quite well, & roaring occasionally as befits a lion.
As for me .. I have had news from England somewhat more comfortable .. less intolerable, that is—though the anxiety remains heavy–
Shall I try to thank you for the sympathy I felt in your face & hand—or be silent–
Do come before we go—Do
<…> [7]
No, I am not afraid of Rome—only of the tramontana here.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. Dated by EBB’s reference to the Storys’ departure for Rome “this morning.” In letter 4772 she writes: “The Storys go on monday.”
2. The recipient’s husband, Carlo Matteucci.
3. Probably a slip for “Warsaw is over”; see letter 4753, note 12 and letter 4755, note 12.
4. The Po river separated Italian-controlled Emilia from Austrian-controlled Venetia.
5. Underscored three times.
6. Lorenzo, Duke Sforza Cesarini (1807–66), Italian politician and patriot, had been appointed Royal Commissary at Viterbo during the occupation by Piedmontese forces. When the Municipal Commission surrendered its authority to the French on 13 October (see letter 4760, note 6), he addressed the French commanding officer and the citizens of Viterbo. The Morning Post of 20 October 1860 carried a translation of the speech, which included the following remarks: “That the people of Viterbo would willingly consent to be again placed under the clerical rule can be believed by no one—least of all by France, that noble nation which is at the head of every liberal progress. We now yield to force alone. Be not offended, Signor Commander, by these words, they come from the heart of a people which has endured for centuries an ignominious oppression, and believed they had at length obtained their liberty” (p. 6).
7. The closing of this letter, probably written on the inside flap of the envelope, is missing. The postscript is written at the top of page 1.
___________________
