4847. EBB to Francis William Newman

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 29, 15–16.

Rome– 126. Via Felice.

March 12– [1861] [1]

Dear Sir

Once, long ago, in my youth, I was in the same room with you & heard you talk,—but you will not remember it– My better introduction will be therefore our common feeling for this delivered Italy—& in her name I will venture to trouble you with a note, subscribed with a stranger’s.

In fact, Mdme S[ch]wabë has this morning been with me, begging me to help her to attend to a letter from Henri Martin, the French historian. A statue of Manin, by Vela the Italian artist, is to be presented to the Italians and erected at Turin on the 22d of the present month. It is paid for—(fifty thousand francs, I think, went from Paris) and only just finished in time for a touching Venetian anniversary. M. Martin himself, with Garnier Pages, Carnot, & other frenchmen, besides the representatives of journals such as the ‘Siécle’ & “Opinion Nationale,” are hurrying to Turin to be present at the [in]auguration—& they are anxious, says M. Martin, that any English of known name, would meet them there & assist their expression of sympathy,—that France might not offer it alone. You see it is meant for a sympathetic expression rather of peoples than of governments– A point of mere sentiment, do you say?– But more incisive than the bayonet’s–

Do you know any one with great zeal & a small carpet-bag, who at a day’s notice would come? The restriction for time is most unfortunate, but letters have been travelling after correspondents,—& then it seems to have been considered impossible for some time to finish the statue for the day.

It is an interesting moment for visiting Turin, quite apart from statues–

Forgive me if there is anything to be forgiven in this note–

In high esteem

I am yours truly

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. Year provided by reference to the return address; 1861 was the only year the Brownings resided at 126 Via Felice in March.

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