4992. RB to Anne Braun
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 29, 262–263.
1. Chichester Road,
Upper Westbourne Terrace.
Nov. 25. ’61.
My very dear Friend,
I found the little parcel just as you expected in the Portfolio at Mr Newton’s, [1] —or rather, he found it there, as he wrote to me, upon opening the portfolio (for the first time) and the next day I received what I have not yet had the heart to examine particularly tho’ enough to see that all is safe and more than all I expected—the notes & letters. [2] Of my gratitude to you for the way as well as the will to do me this service,—for the forethought so long ago, & in the circumstances of illness & departure, as well as for the present kindness and anxiety on my behalf,—I cannot express much of this—but you will understand & believe the rest.
I am still all but wholly taken up with Peni’s lessons, being unable to get the proper Tutor—tho’ I cannot be much longer in finding one. The moment I am so disengaged as to be able to give up a day I shall go & endeavour to see Miss Bayley. I have only called on people with whom I had pressing business—except in two cases: and I never pass an evening from home—the early hours going to Arabel Barrett who is a few doors off only—to my great comfort.
Are you continuing to improve in health? I hope so fervently. I will send you by a private hand (fearing the post) the photographs, all I have to give– I heard of M. Lezzane’s horrible death the other day—what was the motive for his madness, or subject of it, I wonder? [3]
You seem never to have heard that poor Henrietta Cook died last year—& that the miserable six months suspence & final calamity were the undoubted cause of my own loss. Did you ever know Octavius Barrett? His wife,—an affectionate & beloved one,—died six weeks ago, a few days after giving birth to an infant, [4] which followed her immediately. He is just arrived on a visit to Arabel, & the three little motherless cousins,—his own child, [5] Henrietta’s girl & Pen,—are together every day.
Newton asked after you with great interest & bade me say that he, of course, holds the Portfolio at your disposal according to future commands. I will only say once more, thank you from my heart, dear friend & believe me
Yours affectionately ever
Robert Browning.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. Charles Thomas Newton (1816–94), whom RB saw frequently in Rome (see letter 4616, note 7). He is listed in the Brownings’ address book of this period (AB-4) at 37 Gower Street, a few steps from the British Museum, where he was Keeper of Greek and Roman Antiquities.
2. The portfolio contained EBB’s Greek translations that she made in 1845 for a proposed “Classical Album” (see Appendix IV in vol. 10). They appeared in Last Poems (1862) with a brief introduction by RB. Two of the “letters” he mentions were undoubtedly letters 1893 and 1918.
3. Luigi Lezzani (1818–1861), Roman poet and translator, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head on 5 October 1861. Prior to his death he had been receiving treatment for a mental disorder.
5. Charles Graham Moulton-Barrett (1860–1925).
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