Correspondence

5080.  RB to Louisa Bithia Courtenay

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 89.

19 Warwick Crescent,

Upper Westbourne Terrace

Saturday [ca. June 1862] [1]

Offered for sale in The Collector, December 1943, item E30 and February 1947, item A270; and by Bonhams & Butterfields, auctioneers, Los Angeles, 23 November 2004, lot 5128. 2 pp., 8vo. Apologizing for not having called, RB writes: “I am sluggish and do myself injustice, but mean well—at least not so badly as to forget an old friend [2] and dear times … Your letter went to the place where I lodged first. I have taken a house here till Robert (that’s his name) grows up. I have masters for him, and superintend them, and shall do some work and get thro’ the years soon enough. I shall see you whenever you like on your return—if your goodness holds—as why should it not? / Here is my Photograph & another. / Ever yours very cordially & faithfully / Robert Browning.”

1. Approximate dating based on RB’s reference to his present address. He and Pen moved to 19 Warwick Crescent on 8 May 1862.

2. Louisa Bithia Courtenay (1814–1904), to whose personal album EBB had contributed “The Sea-Mew,” at John Kenyon’s request (see letter 528).

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