5102. Sophia Landor to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 111–112.
Tachbrooke. Leamington
July 29th [1862] [1]
Dear Mr Browning
I owe you thanks for two letters, [2] the first of which has remained unanswered because you kindly promised a second & I wld not trouble you with two replies. I was not at all surprised to learn that my Uncle’s journey to Rome was purely imaginary: the day after I received your letter telling me of it, I procured the “Times” & as soon as I read the letter, I felt sure he had not taken the journey, tho’ what can be the joke or the merit of the letter I cannot guess. I think his friend, Mr Walker, must be almost as deficient in common sense as my Uncle, or he wld not have sent such a letter to the Times: the Editor will not be very well pleased if he ever discovers the cheat.
Thank you very much of [sic] the very satisfactory statement of the accounts for the last half year: [3] but I am really vexed you shld have the trouble of writing them out: I do assure you it is quite unneeded & unwished for: so long as you are satisfied with the rate of expenditure, I can assure you my Uncles will be so: if you will only state at the end of each half year the balance in hand, so that they may have no fears of a deficiency, they wld indeed be quite satisfied & most grateful for your continued benevolence. It seems the Bank is rich, so we need not be uneasy if any little extravagance is committed in the way of Packing cases &c. [4] tho’ of course it wld be imprudent to comply too readily with the wish. But how does he become possessed of the Pictures? I hear he has already sent 3, really good ones, to his friend Mrs Sawle: I hope he does not beg them or money to buy them with? I read your letter to my Uncle Henry, but he made little remark about the Pictures & packages, & I do not care to call his attention more to the matter, I feel sure he wld feel just what I have expressed. Truly glad wld all be to accord such little gratifications, if they cld be kept within bounds. My Uncles are much pleased that their little gift to Mme Romagnioli [sic] is acceptable to her. The state of affairs about the book [5] seems very satisfactory at present, but I fear the patience of the young author will not last much longer.
How rejoiced I am at the continued good reports of dear Mrs Forster; I trust she will soon be able to leave Town & regain strength more rapidly. I hope your Son continues to bear well this most unfavorable English climate. My Uncle desires to join in best regards, with
Yr sincerely obliged
Sophia Landor
Address: Robert Browning Esqre / 19. Warwick Crescent / Harrow Road / London (W.).
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Yale University.
1. Year provided by postmark.
2. These letters have not surfaced.
3. For RB’s copy of Landor’s accounts for the period of January through June 1862, see vol. 26, pp. 388–389. The “Bank,” mentioned below, held 69 pounds, 19 shillings (see vol. 26, p. 395).
5. Heroic Idyls (1863).
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