5255. Roden Noel to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 269–270.
Beyrout lodge
Upper Norwood. S
July 11. 1863.
My dear Sir
Though I have only had the pleasure—let me say the honor—of meeting you twice, in a casual way, you were then so kind that I venture to send you a copy of my Poems, which I have just published– [1]
I fear you must be pestered with innumerable such offerings & expressions of admiration—but whatever you may think of their literary value, you will not despise the sincerity of feeling with which any one of them is made.
Should you have a moment of leisure after glancing at the Volume & should you feel so inclined I need not say how I should value a word of criticism from you– I wonder if you are in London now & whether I should have a chance at any time by calling of seeing & talking with you– I am not altogether a free man as I was when I saw you last. I have put on the bands of a profession, [2] & the still pleasanter ones of marriage [3] —although we are not yet definitely settled at home—but to catch a glimpse of you would indeed be a pleasure & privilege.
Believe me,
Most sincerely yours
Roden Noel
[4]Address: Robert Browning Esq / 19 Warwick Crescent / Westbourne Grove / W.
Publication: Desmond Heath, “‘Which “Then”—is like “Tomorrow”’,” Browning Society Notes, 27 (December 2000), 31.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. Behind the Veil; and other Poems (London and Cambridge, 1863) was issued by Macmillan and Co. on 11 July. RB’s copy sold as part of lot 953 in Browning Collections (see Reconstruction, A1746).
2. Unknown—perhaps “poet.”
3. On 21 March 1863, Noel married Alice Maria Caroline de Broë (1846–1919).
4. Roden Berkeley Wriothesley Noel (1834–94), fourth son of Charles Noel, Lord Barham (1781–1866), later 1st Earl of Gainsborough, and his fourth wife, Lady Frances (née Jocelyn, 1814–85), second daughter of Robert Jocelyn, 3rd Earl of Roden.
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