4907. EBB to Arabella Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 29, 147–150.
Florence–
June 11– [1861] [1]
Oh my own dearest Arabel, how I am going to vex you! It grieves me, it grieves me—but we are not to see France this summer– It is put off to next year– I told you Robert was afraid for me—but when I said that, knowing how he always is nervous & exaggerating about the lions in the path [2] before he begins a journey I did not much apprehend this decision at last– It has come however– Before we left Rome, he, who had been working himself up to an apprehension that I should fall to pieces in the journey to Paris (or Fontainbleau or wherever it was to be,) met suddenly the physician who attended me in Tuscany a year ago [3] & had gone to Rome by a chance—and this high authority told Robert in so many words that I wanted quiet & not a journey .. & that, in fact, going to France was very unadvisable– So Robert, backed so, insisted & decided– I assure you I fought hard, & even said too much—for he was quite angry, & I had to resign myself as before the sword. Now what I want you thoroughly to understand is, that I am not ill at all– I never quite got over the bad attack of more than a year ago—but there is nothing but susceptibility, I think,—& if I had had any sort of chance in the way of quiet of mind last autumn & winter, I should probably be as strong as I usually am at this time of year– As it is, I am a great, great deal stronger than in the early spring—have managed the journey from Rome here very tolerably– More tired than usual, because of having less strength than usual—somewhat less—but still bearing it without harm. Robert says that what makes him “insane” is to think of me in the roar of the French railroads &c &c– Then he has it in his head that a good calm summer & winter (if God grants so much) will set me up perfectly, & that he would risk everything by giving in to my selfwill & taking me north now– I must tell you—I am more sorry for poor old Mr Browning’s sake than I am for your’s or my own– As for you, .. who knows whether you may not condescend to do yourself good, a little good, in doing me much, .... by consenting to .....?
No—I dont dare speak yet–
Let me hear what your plans are– You will probably go somewhere (to begin) with Mr & Mrs Stratten– So I shant have my theological consultation after all– My grateful regards to them–
Only I want you to understand, my darling, that on my veracity, I am not ill– Just languid, weak, knees trembling .. that sort of thing .. but getting stronger, & not ill. You see I kept very feeble in the winter (no wonder) .. was seldom out of bed after eight in the evening, and, in the spring, did’nt sprout as quickly or greenly as usual: the spring came desolately–– Still .. in gigantic force now to what I was—that’s sure–
Observe—I, though with a decided opinion on the immorality of suicide, would undertake the journey to France without hesitation– At the same time, I cant blame poor Robert, who besides putting an exorbitant value on my health for Pen’s sake & his, is always nervous about journeys north for me,—& was naturally influenced by a medical opinion on the top of his own– Set down that he is not unkind but timid– How I look like myself you will see by my photograph, [4] sitting for which was my last wise act at Rome, & which is to be sent after us through the bankers. The ‘proof’ was rather promising– You shall have it when it comes.
We travelled rather slowly, and came into the cloud .. just under the blow from Turin. [5] Oh Arabel—we have lost our great guiding soul—and now, may God save Italy— The torch is out before day-break–
As for me, it has shaken me dreadfully– You will think me wonderfully foolish––but the only thing which helped me in the least was to sit and cry. Oh, the national loss, Arabel! oh, the pity & pathos of it, Arabel.
He was to have met the Emperor at Vichy, for the solution of the Roman question– His last words were, .. “Roma, Venezia, Italia, Napoleone”—and then again, “Tutto é salvo.” [6] There was the man who saved Italy! Capacious genius, penetrating intellect passionate character!–
A legion of Garibaldis would not make such a man–
I have written to Turin to hear what hope for the future Matteucci can give me—but I know him, & that he will be deeply depressed.
What news to find us at Florence! What news to find us anywhere.
Of course the only hope is that the grooves may be set for future movements, and the preparations made for final solutions of internal & foreign questions– It is said that the king had a half hour’s private talk with him on the last evening, & that Nigra also has all his secrets. [7]
You cannot possibly understand what the void is– For me, I would have given .. not merely tears .. but blood .. to save him for Italy–
At first I could not help thinking this—. If God meant that we should fail at last, .. He would do exactly what is done … remove Cavour– But perhaps He only means to prove that He can save without a man.
Also the chief work is done .. unless (which I dont believe) Napoleon should betray old engagements, taking advantage of this removal of one of the parties engaging. No– On that last day, Napoleon sent five telegrams to Turin, in his anxiety—and sent besides his own physician—but it was too late– [8]
As soon as the news was known here, the reactionary reptiles twisted out– Austrian & grand-ducal badges & ecclesiastical pomps showed themselves—and I am really glad to add, I who hate violence, that these living asses who dared to kick at the dead Lion, [9] were nearly torn to pieces by the indignant population .. only saved by the National Guard.
The archbishop had a cigar thrown in his face—. Amen– [10]
We have not the heart to think of doing or going anywhere– We shall stay till we are burnt out, and then … I dont know, Robert will decide—but we shant go far, you may be sure– Think of us a little—in charity. What do you say of meditating winter-wards– We shall go to Rome in november probably—at least that was intended a fortnight ago.
Perhaps George may have squared all accounts by that time, & feel free– And if not, even—– But I would rather you thought about it before you said anything.
Robert’s true love, and Pen’s–
My darling dearest Arabel believe that I love you, love you, love you– May God love you to better ends–
Your own Ba—
Peni has g<one> with his musical ‘professor’ [11] to the religious service for our Cavour in Santa Croce– Everyone in mourning–
Address: Angleterre. / Miss Moulton Barrett / 7. Delamere Terrace / Harrow Road / London. [12]
Publication: EBB-AB, II, 536–539.
Manuscript: Gordon E. Moulton-Barrett.
1. Year provided by postmark.
3. i.e., Dr. Gryzanowski.
4. One of three photographs taken in Rome by the D’Alessandri brothers on 27 May 1861. Evidently, they did not reach Florence until the time of EBB’s final illness, as reported by RB in letter 4918. These photographs are reproduced facing p. 176.
5. The death of Cavour on 6 June 1861.
6. “Everything is safe.” Napoleon III had refused to recognize the Kingdom of Italy and would not negotiate regarding the Roman Question; however, at the time of Cavour’s death, he had proposed a compromise that “provided for recognition of Italy by France and the withdrawal of French troops from Rome, on condition that Italy would promise not to attack the pope’s present territory and would prevent, by force if necessary, any attack by others, and that it would acquiesce in the formation of a papal army of 10,000 men, who might come from foreign Catholic countries” (Edgar Holt, Risorgimento: The Making of Italy, 1815–1870, 1970, p. 269). Cavour’s death gave Napoleon III the opportunity to withdraw the proposal; instead, he announced he was willing to recognize Victor Emmanuel as King of Italy. However, French troops remained in Rome for another decade.
7. Constantino Nigra (1828–1907) had been sent to Naples earlier in 1861 to strengthen the unification movement. However, before that, Cavour had sent him to Paris “to popularize a Franco-Piedmontese alliance, Nigra being, as Cavour said, ‘the only person perhaps who knows all my thoughts, even the most secret’” (EB).
8. Henri Conneau (1803–77), a physician born in Milan, had studied in Florence. He had known Louis Napoleon since the days when both were prisoners in the fortress at Ham.
9. An image taken from Aesop’s Fables, “The Old Lion.” Cf. RB, “Old Pictures in Florence,” line 47: “A lion who dies of an ass’s kick.”
10. Giovacchino Limberti (1821–74) was archbishop of Florence from 1857 until his death.
11. Giuseppe Del Bene.
12. Arabella has written the following on the verso of the envelope, possibly to George: “Think of Mrs. Peyton asking £300 a yr. for the Bartons house, garden orchard & a little land—2500 acres of shooting. They will never get it.”
___________________
