5101. RB to Isa Blagden
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 109–111.
19. Warwick Crescent, Harrow Rd.
July 26. ’62
Dearest Isa,
There can be no doubt that your letter from Florence is much later than my bad news, [1] given by Chapman nearly a fortnight ago. I know nothing else: poor people, the end is in sight, be it delayed or accelerated. Of course Chapman only hears when business letters have to be written—you certainly will be better informed than he—but should I ever hear of anything you shall receive it immediately.
I have got my poor old things from Florence & write this with the Bookcase beside me—it is a sad business and I hardly know—or care to think—whether I like the things best here, or there, or at the bottom of the sea. When you return to Florence, please see if there be not at least one case, containing pictures & specchi, [2] left with your property—with which, in all likelihood, it has been confounded. [3]
I have just heard from Landor [4] —first that he could never go to Rome, he with only three lire in the world &c &c and, in a postscript, these words “The Letter is mine. It was sent to Walker for the “Times”—but the signature was not for the “Times” but for him.” Anything more disgraceful to him or to Walker I cannot easily fancy: as he confesses the letter was one lie, I shall not scruple to set down the “signature for Walker & not for the “Times””—as another. Poor old man, this is a break-down far beyond the infirmities which he brings forward in the same letter as his stock in trade. And Walker, to receive this & print this, knowing there was not a word of truth in it! A friend and a (Plymouth) brother! [5] I have at least kept him out of such friendly & brotherly hands, but he really deserves little better. He writes about his book (another service of Hookey’s) [6] and grieves [(]or grunts rather) over its delay– I shall not put out a finger to help any of them, depend on it. I have not seen Fraser—but will try & get it. [7] My engagements are just as wearisome as ever—but in a fortnight at farthest I shall escape from it all.
Pen is quite well: here is a second Summer’s-day, yesterday being the first. Mrs Forster was better, decidedly, last week—I have not called since. I know nothing, not having cared to enquire about F’s marriage. [8] I heard from Annette again yesterday—she talks about being in Paris in October. I could see that Mrs M. wanted to begin talking to me about the P. matter, [9] but I turned a deaf ear. Goodbye & God bless you–
Ever affy yours,
RB.
Publication: DI, pp 113–115.
Manuscript: British Library.
1. Concerning Theodosia Trollope’s illness (see letter 5099, note 16).
2. “Mirrors.”
3. RB and Isa placed items in storage before leaving Florence. His were left with the de Fauveaus and those of Isa with the Trollopes. Later correspondence between RB and Isa refers to this missing case many times and eventually reveals that it was not left with Isa’s property (i.e., the Trollopes) but with the de Fauveaus.
5. EBB had mentioned this in letter 4744. For the Plymouth Brethren, see letter 2719, note 5.
6. From “Hookey Walker,” which the OED defines as “an exclamation expressive of incredulity” and notes that “the various stories told to account for the origin of the expression have probably no foundation.”
7. Fraser’s Magazine for July 1862 (pp. 95–113) carried a story by Isa entitled “A Model and a Wife.” It is signed at the end with her initials.
8. Either a reference to Charles Fuller (see letter 5099, note 12) or Gertrude FitzPatrick, who married on 9 September 1862.
9. RB refers to Mrs. Mackenzie and Annette’s situation in regard to Carlo Passaglia (see letter 5032, note 3).
___________________
