5105. RB to Isa Blagden
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 113–114.
19. Warwick Crescent, Harrow Road
Aug. 1. ’62.
Dearest Isa,
I go to-morrow to Paris, & thence to whatever place my sister & father may decide upon. My address will be always 151. Rue de Grenelle, Faubourg St Germain.—keep it correctly in your mind, as the loss of one of your letters would grieve me indeed– I only write to say this, being steeped in the memories of all travelling days,—and moreover of this day last year. [1]
Poor Cottrell wrote for your address, which I gave him: he came up to Town to get a Surgeon—who yesterday operated on his poor wife: [2] he tells me so to-day—adding that she was insensible thro’ chloroform but is very ill to-day & he knows not what he is about– “You can feel for me” he says—& indeed I can. It is sad to go away & leave him so: I shall make him write to me—but you must tell me what you know.
God bless you, dearest friend: Pen has long been in bed, but is well: did I tell you I called on the Mackays [3] & that he came, in his kind quiet way, a couple of days after?
Ever yours affectionately
Robert Browning.
Publication: DI, pp. 115–116.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. 1 August 1861 was the day that RB, Pen, and Isa left Florence.
2. We have been unable to determine the nature of Sophia Cottrell’s surgery. An eye problem is mentioned in letters 4805 and 4815.
3. On 17 July (see letter 5099).
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