4940. RB to Ellen Heaton
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 29, 193–194.
Florence,
July 28. ’61.
Dear Miss Heaton,
I was going to try & answer your kind letter received some time ago, when this second one reaches me with its question about the portrait. I have written to Chapman to say that on no account must there be a publication of Mrs Bridell’s portrait [1] —it gives me real pain to say so: there is very little to disperage [sic] an artist now-adays if you simply say that one of his likenesses was a failure—but so I have always said in this case,—with the kindest feeling to a very old friend. Talfourd’s portrait [2] may be published by Chapman tomorrow if he pleases—and if the proper means are taken of doing it justice. I repeat, I should be grieved indeed to give Mrs Bridell any pain, but how can I avoid it? I trust to your goodness and fairness, in making this communication, which you will only use in the spirit with which I make it. I have a photograph taken at Rome two months ago—the only satisfactory one which exists and which I shall endeavour to get reproduced: it is immeasurably superior to anything else. [3]
I cannot do more than thank you for your constant kindness: I go to Paris next week & leave Italy altogether. Pen is well & very dear—thank you once more for your goodness to us all.
God bless you–
Yours very gratefully
RB.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection.
1. The colored chalk portrait of EBB by Eliza Fox Bridell (1823–1903), completed on 2 March 1859. It is reproduced in vol. 26, facing p. 112.
2. The colored chalk portrait of EBB by Field Talfourd (1809–74), completed in late February 1859. It is reproduced as the frontispiece to vol. 26.
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