4860. Walter Savage Landor to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 29, 47–48.
[Florence]
[April 1861] [1]
Dear Browning,
Never for a moment have I felt ungrateful to you for your innumerable acts of kindness. I did wish, and do still, that you had sent my letter to my brother. It would have assured him how thankful I am for what he has done to help me thro my weary life. Without my expecting it, the Editor of the Athenæum has sent me ten guineas for my Imag. Conversation. [2] This will cover all my expenditure, beyond for board and lodging, these two years, excepting all pounds for picture frames, without which I could not fix the pictures on the walls. For two winters I made no complaint of the stove, altho my eyes were affected by the smoke all the first year, and my lungs all the last. I always was contented with my lodgings in other respects. May I continue to hope that you forward to my brother this short letter and the two last. I will not buy any comfort, or a single article of clothing, all my life. I hope I may contract all my expenses within 120£ a year.
Believe me ever, my dear Browning, most truly your obliged and affectionate
W S Landor
Publication: BBIS-5, p. 40.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. Date based on Landor’s references to the letter he wished sent to his brother and to the smoke, both mentioned in letter 4856.
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