4964. RB to Isa Blagden
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 29, 231–233.
St Enogat, près Dinard.
Sept. 17. ’61.
Dearest Isa,—I received several days ago the “McMillan” [1] you were so good as to send: I had written a long letter to you shortly before, & fancied an answer might follow—(not that such haste was necessary, but that I love to hear from you) & as nothing comes yet, I will write a word to prevent your addressing me any longer at this place: we leave it, I hope, next saturday, to arrive in Paris on Sunday—the 22d There (at 151. R. de Grenelle, Fg St Gn) I shall be reached for a day or two longer, and then, about the middle of the week, I go to England. The weather here broke up suddenly—I should find a stay in Paris as difficult as before, or more so,—then Forster, who has been causing inquiries to be made about lodgings &c, & whose urgent invitation to go to him I was forced to refuse, writes from York that he shall be obliged to leave London again about the beginning of October, & has so pressing a wish to talk over matters with me, that I can hardly deny him without giving pain,—against this & other reasons for going, however, opposes itself the fear that I may lose you by so doing. Shall I? [2] Could you not anticipate your journey by a few days? And yet,—do understand,—I only mean, could you do this with no sort of inconvenience to yourself? For I take for granted that you will return to London: or, shall you be there to see me when I arrive, as well as when you return? I might plague you again on the journey, also, by the poney which I must transport: there will be no taking him by special trains, you know, and the getting him in & out of his box just prevents my being of the least use to any body I accompany. I am kept till the last before he can be got at, & reach Hôtels an hour after my party. Write to me, dearest friend, & tell me what your movements are likely to be—let me expect such a letter by Monday or Tuesday in Paris. And now,—thank you again & again for the “Mag:”—the quiet, temperate article may do good, & I was much gratified by it. I have no news: one letter from Cottrell (still with nothing about Mrs Jarves)—saying that at Sepr 6th the heat was unabated: he had gone to Viareggio on the 1st—wife & children well.
I am writing alone in the house: Pen has bathed & ridden daily—he swims quite well for so little a fellow, and seems perfectly healthy & strong. I seem hardly to remember the velvet tunic & short trousers, the curls & hat & feather of three months ago. Three months! I am in perfect health, too—& my father & sister have also got great good out of the sea & air. I am very anxious to begin with Pen,—who continues to please me, you will like to know: I have more hopes than ever that he will take to what is good in English life.
Landor wrote (did I tell you?) very kindly & rationally—but an accompanying letter from Made Romagnoli informs me he wants to knock open a window here, extend the terrace there, and give occupation enough. I enclose a note from Mrs Crawford. Goodbye & God bless you, dearest Friend– No one is at home to add their love to that of your affectionate
R B.
Burridge’s address, please!
I find myself obliged to take Mrs C’s letter out of its huge “enveloppe,” if it is to enter one of mine.
Publication: DI, pp. 91–93.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
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