5007. RB to James Thomas Fields

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 18–19.

1. Chichester Road, Upper Westbourne Terrace.

Jan. 14. ’62.

Dear Mr Fields,

May I ask for your kind attention to my friend Mr Dicey, who is anxious to instruct himself properly before writing about America & visits you for that purpose? [1] Probably you know his recent books on Italy [2] —all remarkable for honesty, clearsightedness, & liberality of feeling. For these qualities, & for your old kindness to me, will you render him any assistance in your power—towards getting at the truth?

He goes in a hurry, & has no time to get certain introductions that his many American friends would be glad to give:—would it be too venturesome if I suggested that you procure him the coveted honor of seeing Mr Emerson & Mr Longfellow? [3] I can do nothing for him but this—and I shall have done a great deal if, by your good intervention, I succeed so far.

You are well, I hope—& Mrs Fields? [4] This application has to be made too suddenly to admit of more than a word of well-wishing—it is a very sincere one, however.

Yours very faithfully

Robert Browning.

James Fields Esq.

Boston–

Address: James Fields Esq. / 135. Washington St / Boston.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Huntington Library.

1. Dicey’s visit to America resulted in Six Months in the Federal States (2 vols., 1863).

2. Rome in 1860 (Cambridge, 1861) and Cavour: A Memoir (1861).

3. Dicey met both Emerson and Longfellow, as described in Six Months in the Federal States, II, 229 and 231.

4. Annie Fields (née Adams, 1834–1915). She and her husband called on the Brownings at Rome in February 1860 (see SD2340 in vol. 27).

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