4912. Sophia Landor to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 29, 157.
Tachbrooke. Leamington
18th June /61
My dear Sir
My Uncles Henry & Robert think it right you shld be made aware of the cause & subject of a letter they have found themselves under the painful necessity of writing to my Uncle Walter. They have recently been informed that he has made application to two gentlemen connected with his estates, to supply him with money from those estates, to the extent of £50 a quarter during the remainder of his life; on the plea that in consequence of your absence from Florence, he no longer receives the small amount hitherto supplied to him through you, by his Brother Henry & that he is consequently absolutely without money. Not only has he no claim upon either of these gentlemen, to whom he has made this application, but he is almost unacquainted with them; while on the other hand, they are well acquainted with his Brothers & as I well know entertain so high a respect & regard for them, that it is not unlikely they might be induced to advance money for their sakes, trusting to their honour for repayment. My two Uncles feel so keenly the impropriety & disgrace of such attempts to raise money, under such false pretexts, & especially from persons so much connected with themselves as these two gentlemen have been, that they consider it needful to take very decisive measures to put a stop to such proceedings & have consequently written jointly to my Uncle Walter, stating in the plainest terms that if any other similar attempt is made, the income he at present receives through you will cease. [1] Doubtless their letter will excite great displeasure in my Uncle Walter, but not greater than the pain & mortification his most unjustifiable conduct has caused them. I scarcely need add that we are all fully satisfied there is not a shadow of truth in his ascertion [sic] that he has ceased to receive supplies through you, if his statement be correct, that you are gone or going to Paris, we do not doubt for a moment, that you will continue to provide for his comfort with the same unremitting care & kindness as during your absences at Rome.
We sincerely hope that Mrs Browning’s health continues to improve & that you will both have much enjoyment during the summer. My Uncles desire to unite with me in kindest & grateful regards believe me, dear Sir
Most sincerely Yrs
Sophia Landor
Address: Robert Browning Esqre / Casa Guidi / Florence / Tuscany.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Yale University.
1. See SD2449.
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