5043. Jessie White Mario to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 60–61.
Stella House
Blaydon
Newcastle on Tyne
March 20– [1862] [1]
My dear Friend
If you have heard of my being in England, you will have wondered at my silence.
It has arisen from want of moral courage to write the truth & from a hope that it might not be necessary.
The truth is thus: When I left England for America [2] all my important papers were sorted for burning–sending in case of death etc– I have never looked at any of them till now & I can find nothing– The two things I cannot replace are your proofs [3] —all save the two I send & a long m.s.s. of the History of Italy of my husband[’]s. [4]
I cannot tell whether they are burnt or dispersed– I have but one shadow of hope—it is very faint as I know I left all the proofs tied together but towards the end of April I shall go to a place where one box of my things is deposited. If I find them I shall write if not I am sure you will not love to hear from me again.
My letters I have all if you ever print any[.] Some of mine on political questions would be valuable. You shall have a copy–
My husband is obliged to go to Italy Monday I follow in May this is I suppose our last visit to England. Can he or I do anything for you or yours in any part of Italy——
On Monday I go to Edinburgh my address will be care of
Mrs Nichol [5]
Huntley Lodge
Edinburgh——
Sorrowfully & affectionately
Jessie White Mario
Address: Robert Browning Esq / care of Messrs Chapman & Hall / W London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: University of Virginia.
1. Year provided by postmark.
2. In November 1858.
3. We have been unable to identify these proofs.
4. Evidently, never published.
5. Elizabeth Pease Nichol (1807–97), daughter of Joseph Pease (1772–1846), of Darlington, and his wife, Elizabeth (née Beaumont, 1779–1824). In 1853 she married John Pringle Nichol (1804–59), Regius Professor of Astronomy at the University of Glasgow. She was an abolitionist and suffragist. Jessie met the Nichols in 1856 when she gave a “course of lectures on Italy in Glasgow” (Anna M. Stoddart, Elizabeth Pease Nichol, 1899, p. 218).
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