Correspondence

4908.  EBB & RB to William Wetmore Story & Emelyn Story

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 29, 150–151.

June 13. ’61.

Dear Friends,—are you really at Leghorn? I had such a fancy that you would be detained longer than you hoped, as to feel it useless writing: but I hear you must be really arrived now,—and how glad we are! Our own journey was prosperous enough, with favorable weather. We rested a day at Siena and got in tolerable plight to Florence on the wednesday evening—before the saddest of all mornings! [1] My wife was thoroughly tired, of course,—has not attempted to leave the house since,—but is regaining strength now. Our journey to France would be absurd and is given up– I have no notion where we shall choose to spend the warm months. I saw Alberti [2] at Florence [sic, for Siena] & Nencini also—as we surmised, both the Villas [3] are perfectly at our disposal and are likely to continue so. I can hear of nobody intending to molest us—what do you say? Florence is empty of stranger-folk, we are absolutely quiet from morning to night.

Did I overwhelm you with commissions that day of our departure? Whatever you found intolerable, I do trust you threw over, in pure kindness to us.

And the apartment? [4] Have you heard anything more from agent or principal? No word has reached me, you may be sure: we are both of us anxious to know.

We found Mr Landor very well and rationally disposed,—looking, as you may imagine, without a lock of hair or tuft of beard! He wished to look “younger,” say some—“cleaner” suggest others. He was glad to hear what news I could give him about you all. And now,—what news do you give us? How is Mrs Story,—relieved from those vile headaches which seemed as if they would never go, those last days of our stay in Rome? And how are you, dear Story, who were wanting changes, we fancied, after all the great doings of the year? And Edie and the Boys,—tell us they are well as soon as you can. Only to be at Leghorn! But for how long,—and what is to be done next? Can we help you in any poor way here in Florence? Ba will put in a word for herself—and I shall then begin calculating post-arrivals and looking—so eagerly—for more than a word from you. All love to you all from

Yours affectionately ever

Robert Browning.

[Continued by EBB]

Ba can only write a word–

She has not the heart—in the face of this great calamity– What a return to Florence! I have felt beaten & bruised ever since—though the banners are all out this morning for the as-good-as-official “recognition of Italy” [5] —but there’s a crape on the flag, & the joy is as flowers on graves–

May God save Italy without his angels–

I sent about the corset, dear Emelyn, but the business takes time & is not finished–

When shall we see you?– Peni talks much of writing to Edie–

Your affectionate EBB–

Publication: BAF, pp. 68–70.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. The death of Cavour, on 6 June 1861.

2. Giovan Battista Alberti, owner of Villa Alberti.

3. Villa Belvedere and Villa Alberti.

4. The Brownings were negotiating the lease of an apartment in the Palazzo Barberini, where the Storys had an apartment. According to Daniel Sargent Curtis, RB told him many years later that the apartment was located “on the upper piano of the Palazzo Barberini on the right, opposite to that of the Storys. And [he] had got leave to put in a lift” (Diary, entry of 4 November 1885, ms at Marciana). EBB’s plan of the rooms, which “was made on the spot,” is reproduced facing p. 208.

5. By France. According to Edgar Holt, Cavour’s “last diplomatic victory was won by his death. In homage to his old friend, Napoleon III agreed to recognize Italy without further argument, though he did so in a rather niggling way: instead of actually recognizing the kingdom of Italy, he announced that he was recognizing Victor Emmanuel’s title of king of Italy” (Risorgimento: The Making of Italy, 1815–1870, 1970, p. 272).

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