5211. Sophia Landor to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 233–234.
Tachbrooke
1st May [1863] [1]
Dear Mr Browning
You will be surprised at so soon receiving another letter from me, but not so much surprised as I was this morng, on seeing on the breakfast table a letter directed by my Uncle Walter to his Brother: I kept it back till after breakfast & now have let it tell its own tale, without adding anything thereto. My Uncle Henry desires me to forward it to you, he thinks you will like to see it & I am sure you will kindly return it, at your convenience, & add some little information as to the nature of the illness & your last account of the progress he is making; which must thus far have been wonderfully rapid: his mind now seems quite clear, tho’ of course he wld not know much as to the nature or duration of his illness.
My Uncle Henry requests me to say to you that his health is now so feeble & so easily disturbed by any trouble that he feels unable & unwilling to recommence any correspondence with his Brother, especially as he is so nearly blind he can with difficulty sign his name; he will therefore feel very grateful to you, if you will add to your many kindnesses by conveying a message of thanks from him to his Brother for remembering him affectionately in these his latter days, & his earnest wish that his (Walter’s) remaining days, be they few or many, may be free from pain & suffering. You know better than I whether any message from me is likely to be well received; if you think it wld not give offence, I wld beg you to offer my kind love to him & to assure him I have never ceased to remember affectionately every kindness I have received from him.
This letter is wonderfully written, his mind seems to be quite clear; Oh that this respite may be turned to good account! My Uncle Henry desires to unite with me in sincere regards & respect to you. Believe me, my dear Sir
Gratefully Yrs
Sophia Landor
Address: Robert Browning Esqre / 19. Warwick Crescent / Upper Westbourne Terrace / London (W.).
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Yale University.
1. Year provided by postmark.
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