5009. RB to Theodore Tilton
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 19–20.
1 Chichester Road, Upper Westbourne Terrace.
Jan 14, ’62.
My dear Friend,
A sudden opportunity presents itself of sending the packet of photographs—but it is too sudden to admit of more, i.e of procuring from Paris [1] & sending the others to the other friends: yours is the “proof” I received.
I wrote to you in a bewildered way, did I not, a few days ago? My little boy was attacked by what, for some short time, (except in the bearing it!) was pronounced to be small-pox: I had only just been assured that it was simple “chicken-pock” when I scribbled a word or two to you, as in duty bound: next day, I sent Mr Miller his first instalment of proofs. [2]
May I ask the favor of your kind attention to my friend, the bearer of this, Mr Dicey? He goes among you to study and report—and there can be no better guarantee of the value of his services to truth & good feeling than you have in his good and clever Books on the Italian question. I write very hurriedly, but your own goodness emboldens me.
Ever yours very faithfully
Robert Browning.
Publication: NL, p. 143.
Manuscript: Yale University.
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