5249. Anne Gilchrist to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 265–266.
Earls Colne
Halsten, Essex
July 4th 1863.
Dear Sir
The accompanying Work [1] will I think & hope interest you for its own sake; and if so the interest will not be lessened by hearing that the Author (whose voice henceforth silent to our mortal ears, here for the last time speaks) was one who cherished a most earnest & affectionate admiration of your writings; and while finishing the Blake often spoke of the pleasure it would be to him to send you a copy. [2] Hence this is truly his gift to you, not mine– May it—this book into which he put his whole heart, make his memory dear to you & to all congenial natures. Thus would it fulfil one strong aspiration of the beloved Author’s & bring to me sweet consolation[.]
With true reverence
I am dear Sir
Yours very faithfully
Annie Gilchrist
[3]Address: With a Parcel. / Robert Browning Esqre / 19 Warwick Crescent / Westbourne Grove.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Mark Samuels Lasner Collection.
1. Life of William Blake (2 vols., 1863) by Alexander Gilchrist (1828–61). After Gilchrist’s death, the work was completed by his wife and the Rossetti brothers (see her preface, I, v–vii). The book was not officially issued by the publisher, Macmillan and Co., until 7 November 1863 (see their advertisement in The Athenæum of that date, no. 1880, p. 596). As letter 5291 indicates, RB did not receive this letter and the “accompanying Work” until the end of October 1863.
2. This copy is inscribed by RB: “Robert Browning, from Mrs Gilchrist.” It sold as lot 400 in Browning Collections (see Reconstruction, A1035; now with Lasner).
3. Anne Gilchrist (née Burrows, 1828–85), married Alexander Gilchrist on 4 February 1851.
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