4880. EBB to Anna Maria Hall
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 29, 89–90.
Rome. Via Felice 126.
April 22– [1861] [1]
I remember well, dear Madam, Mr Hall’s courtesy to me when I was nothing, [2] and I should be glad to do anything agreeable to either of you. The truth is however that at present I cannot accept new invitations of the kind. [3] My husband & I are adverse generally to the periodical vehicle of publication.– I am not strong,—& whatever I publish in this way, (with the exception of certain contributions to our friend Mr Thackeray’s ‘Cornhill’) is absorbed by an American engagement, which, besides paying extravagantly, leaves my poems as good as m∙s. for the English public.
I wish the utmost prosperity to your undertaking, & am very glad to hear that you command so many elements of success. Forgive the absence of what you will not miss–
My husband exchanges remembrances with Mr Hall, and I remain, dear Madam,
most faithfully yours
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 April.
2. Samuel Carter Hall (1800–89) had in November 1836 praised EBB’s poems that appeared in The New Monthly Magazine, of which he was then editor, and asked her for further submissions (see letter 542).
3. That is, to contribute to The St. James’s Magazine, edited by Anna Maria Hall (née Fielding, 1800–81) from 1861 to 1868.
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