5240. RB to William Surtees Altham

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 258.

19. Warwick Crescent,

Upper Westbourne Terr:

June 20. ’63

My dear Surtees,

Nothing can be kinder than your invitation—& I thank you & Mrs Altham [1] most heartily both on Pen’s part & mine—but there is no chance of our being able to leave London till we go to Paris at the end of next month. There is so much to be done, & so little time to do it in!

I see your dear & good little girl daily—she is quite well: & Arabel seems better than some weeks ago: but you know all this.

With all love to you all,

Yours ever affectionately

Robert Browning.

Address: Major Altham, / Stoke Court, / near Taunton, / Somersetshire.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: In private collection.

1. Arabella (“Bell”) Altham (née Addams, 1820–1908), daughter of Jesse Addams (1785–1871), Q.C., D.C.L., and his wife, Arabella (née Bishop, 1788–1853). On 20 February 1862, she married her second cousin, William Surtees Cook (1813–87), who changed his surname by royal license to Altham the same day, the name having become extinct in the male line. Roger Altham (1718–88) was the great-grandfather of Surtees; his first wife, Henrietta (née Moulton-Barrett, 1809–60); and his second wife, Arabella.

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