4933. RB to William Charles Macready
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 29, 186–187.
Florence
July 18. ’61–
Why should I not have expected a letter from you my very dear friend, or any kindness it might be in your power to render me? I thank you from my heart for your goodness & I lay there what you say—with many a precious memory of you and yours. Do not imagine I am prostrated by this calamity– I have much or every thing to do as directly in my wife’s interest as if she were enjoining it on me when we talked over our plans the last evening of all. The greatest comfort I have, and that which in its degree I try to give those who loved her, is that she had so little physical pain as to [be] confident up to the end that there was nothing to distinguish this from so many previous attacks and that she should presently recover and go away with me for the Summer—and absolutely no touch of what would have been anguish indeed to her, the knowledge of parting from us. She was smiling at my “exaggerating the case” a few minutes before the end. I dare believe (from much I cannot write) that God did really take her to himself without even the momentary awe of a warning—while, by some inexplicable way, I was permitted to lose nothing through her ignorance that she was about to leave me.
I shall go to Paris now, to England eventually. Italy is done with for many a year. I shall certainly see you one day—shall I not? Wherever you may be, God bless you! I had always intended to write a friend’s word to you on your marriage, [1] —only to say what you can well imagine, to be sure. Will you help me with Mrs Macready and assure her of my best congratulations and wishes!
My boy, you will like to know, is not suffering in health and is behaving to me in something like his mother’s old spirit.
Ever yours affectionately and gratefully,
Robert Browning–
Publication: LRB, pp. 63–64.
Manuscript: British Library.
1. To Cecile Louise Frederica Spencer (1826–1908) on 3 April 1860.
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