5011. Sophia Landor to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 20–21.
Tachbrooke. Leamington
20th Jany– [1862] [1]
My dear Sir
My Uncles [2] request me to offer their very sincere thanks as well as my own, for your welcome despatch received a few days ago. It is most satisfactory to learn that my Uncle Walter is at present going on so quietly & has hitherto given, as I trust, less trouble both to you & Madm[e] Romagnoli, since your departure, than we had ventured to anticipate. I heartily wish he may continue to behave as well. However little we may rely upon his promises to be good, he has certainly given some proof of their sincerity, in his diminished expenditure during the last half year, which I think is less than it ever has been before; but we do not feel any apprehension that he will carry self-denial too far, except in the item of cloathing: in that one particular I have no doubt a little more money might be well bestowed: I dare say Made R takes care that he is decently supplied with undergarments: in the outer man, we must allow him to be as shabby as he chooses: he has long had a strong penchant that way. There is one point in this & other letters from him, which strikes me unpleasantly; viz, he seems determined entirely to ignore all kindness on the part of his Brother Robert; altho’ he must be as well aware as you are that the two Brothers have throughout shared equally in all that has been done for him; he has received equal kindness from both, he is equally indebted to both. Do you think it possible he can be ignorant of this? If so it shd be explained. Now let me revert to your kindness. Pray do not think it needful to apologize for not writing to me; we are always grateful for any communications you may kindly find it convenient to make to us, but we cannot be so unreasonable as to expect to hear frequently from you: & indeed it gives us much satisfaction to know that your time is fully occupied. Full employment is the best thing for us at all times, but especially in seasons of sorrow or anxiety. I am truly sorry to hear of the anxiety you have had regarding your Son, but as Chicken Pox is usually a mild ailment & does not ordinarily leave any ill effects, I trust he will soon be in his usual health again. My Sister [3] & I hope to be able to repeat our delightful visits in Montagu Square [4] in the summer & to have the pleasure of becoming personally acquainted with one who has been so true a friend to all of us. Accept our united kindest regards & wishes & believe always Gratefully Yrs
Sophia Landor
Address: Robert Browning Esqre / 1 Chichester Road / Upper Westbourne Terrace / London (W.).
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Yale University.
1. Year provided by postmark.
2. Henry Eyres Landor (1780-1866) and Robert Eyres Landor (1781-1869), brothers of Walter Savage Landor (1775-1864).
3. Catherine Mary (“Kitty”) Landor (1817–92); see letter 4214, note 3.
4. To John Forster (1812–76) and his wife, Eliza Ann (née Crosbie, 1815–94), who resided at 46 Montagu Square.
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