5020. RB to William Wetmore Story
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 33–34.
1. Chichester Road,
Upper Westbourne Terrace.
Feb. 13. ’62
My dear Story,
I wrote you a long letter, [1] to follow two short ones—not very long ago—but your generous ways,—Mrs Story and Edie combining with you,—make me apprehensive about never so little a shutting up of the hand usually too liberal, and there come fancies of the post’s playing one false, which I want relieved by a word from you, so direct under cover, to Cartwright. If you are only busy,—let me know through Mrs Story: what I most want to be assured of is that your intention of going to London holds good. I am often asked to verify the praises of the Sybil which are rife in the papers and always boast of having seen the creation & completion of her: you will certainly find yourself well known and eagerly expected—come, therefore!
Cartwright has told me of Lady William’s severe illness—& (this morning) of her improvement in some degree. [2] I hope the best—but fear the very best will be little satisfactory.
My own days go on as usual—& so I best like it, wanting as little further change as possible. The book is done [3] —& cannot be published for another month. I will send it to you the moment I have it. I go out a little,—have called on friends, old & recent,—mean to accept all invitations henceforth: am just made a member of the “Athen[a]eum”, by the committee, and in short am like one of those well-appointed cockney Sportsmen who are accoutred from head to heel in sporting-gear, with the primest of guns & perfectest of pointers, & who only want nerve to pull the trigger! Still, you see, I aim full at you—“bang”—here’s my shot of a letter, and I bring you down in the shape of “la dovuta sua risposta” [4] to
all of yours affectionately ever
RB.
Address, on integral page: William Story Esq. / Palazzo Barberini.
Publication: BAF, pp. 98–99.
Manuscript: University of Texas.
2. The Rome correspondent for The Morning Post reported on 1 February that “Lady William Russell’s malady has recently been much aggravated by an attack of asthma, or angina pectoris, which has had the more effect upon her ladyship from the weakness into which she has been thrown by her recent accident” (7 February 1862, p. 6). A week later, it was reported that “Lady William Russell is now considered out of danger” (14 February 1862, p. 5).
3. Last Poems, published on 20 March 1862.
4. “Your due reply.”
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