5029. Sophia Landor to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 42–43.
Tachbrooke. Leamington
19th Feby [1862] [1]
My dear Sir
As I know you are kind enough to write frequently to my Uncle Walter, I hope I am not adding to your trouble by asking you, when you next write, to be so good as to communicate to him the sad intelligence of the sudden death of one of his best & truest friends, Dr Hutton, [2] which occurred about a week ago, from apoplexy. He went to bed, apparently well, the next morning his servant found him totally insensible & tho’ he lived 2 days, he never recovered the least degree of consciousness. But death did not find him unprepared; he was a most excellent man & a sincere Xtian. He probably did more than any other person towards checking my Uncle’s faults & rescuing his family from the evils that have since befallen them. He resided at one time at Florence, I think was English Chaplain there, before my Uncle deserted his Wife & family, while the children were young, & was most kind in his exertions on their behalf; if there is any seed of good in them, they owe it to Dr Hutton. He obtained an excellent governess for the Daughter & an equally good Tutor for the Sons, but neither cd remain long in the house, after the good Dr left Florence. But perhaps, through God’s mercy, the good seed may yet bear fruit. It is many years since my Uncle has seen much of him, but he respected him so much, I think he will feel his death & perhaps may remember the many good & kind counsels he has received from one who can speak to him no more.
We are rather curious to know how my Uncle Walter has borne the disappointment about the burying place. Mr Sandford carried his bill to my Sister to ask her advice about it; I was obliged to ask her to tell him much the same as I had written to you; he was very kind about it, as I knew he wd be, & said that if my Uncle’s friends ever desire to purchase it for him, they shall have it. I hope your Son is quite recovered from his recent ailment & has regained his usual strength. My Uncle Henry has been for some time & still is unwell, but not seriously so. I am sure he joins me in best regards to you, believe me dear Sir
Very sincerely 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. The Rev. Charles Henry Hutton (1794–62) died on 12 February at his home in Newquay, Cornwall. He was chaplain at the English Church in Florence from 1833 to 1835.
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