4798. Walter Savage Landor to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 28, 255–256.
[Florence]
[?22] [December 1860] [1]
Dear Browning,
Your letter of December the fifth reacht me the day after I had written to you. [2] Before this time I hoped to hear the best possible tidings of Mrs Browning. Do not delay it long. Miss Blagdon made me a short visit yesterday in the midst of a snow-storm, which has left very large contributions on every house-top. She gives me a very favorable account of you all. I thought of keeping for you until your return to Florence what you will find enclosed. I wrote the same in english—the italian gave me some little trouble, and the english required care in harmonizing the periods.– [3] What a shape is Europe in! All thro that infamous treaty, [4] framed expressly to keep Italy in commotion. The papers tell us that prince Napoleon has sailed for the Mediterr[an]ean– [5] Seventeen thousand me[n] from Gaeta have landed in the Roman and Neapolitan territories. [6] Twenty four thousand French have occupied the Roman, and all the cities for two hundred miles round [7] —and the King of Italy is forbidden to attack Gaeta by sea. [8] Early in the spring we may expect a general war in Europe, and perhaps it will extend to Siria [9] and beyond.– I shall desire Mrs Rogmagnoli [sic] to get twelve crowns for me. About half will go in christmas boxes– I shall not want a single one more in the coming year, which I hope will be a happy one to you. Believe me ever
Yours most faithfully
WSL
Address: Robert Browning Esq / 126 Via Felice / Roma.
Publication: BBIS-5, p. 33 (without assigned date).
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. Month and year provided by the Rome postmark, the day of which is obscured. The day of the Florence postmark contains a “2.” Further, Landor mentions Isa Blagden’s “short visit yesterday.” In letter 4799 RB tells Isa: “Mr Landor writes to say … that you had just called.”
2. Neither of these letters has surfaced.
3. Presumably, Landor refers to the imaginary conversation he mentioned in letter 4759 (see note 2).
4. The Treaty of Zurich (see letter 4550, note 6).
5. A false rumor.
6. Also false.
8. Because it was guarded by French ships.
___________________
