5131. Walter Savage Landor to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 150–151.
[Florence]
[Postmark: 10 November 1862]
Dear Browning,
It grieves me to hear that my good brother Henry is so afflicted. He is eight or nine years younger than me, and has had no such calamities as I have. His eyesight, I fear, is irrecoverable.
My son Walter has been repaid, by some pictures, for the ten pounds he advanced for my grave. Your letter has induced me to rest my bones at Florence, where my two sons, Walter and Charles, will defray the expenses of my funeral. I shall leave pretty nearly things enough to repay them, for my express orders are that only the small common stone covers my body with this inscription—Walter Savage Landor
born January 30. 1775
died____________ 1862
My imprudent will must be burnt. My s[c]hoolbooks and a few others I leave to your Robert. My sons know this. Now about the two pictures. Miss Lynn, a niece of the bishop of Carlyle, [1] has always been so affectionate toward me as to call me father. She married Mr Linton whose wife [2] she tended thro a long illness and who left several children ill-provided for, under her especial care. I hope these pictures will bring some money. Pray send the inclosed to her husband, who will disembar[r]as[s] you of them. I write him a few lines to this intent.
Ever yours affectionat<ely>
W S Landor
Mr Linton’s Address is
Gang Moor House
Hampstead
Address: Angleterre / Robert Browning Esq / 19 Warwick Crescent / Harrow Road / London.
Publication: BBIS-5, p. 49 (as 13 November 1862).
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. Elizabeth Linton (née Lynn) was the granddaughter of Samuel Goodenough (1743–1827), Bishop of Carlisle from 1808 until his death.
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