5295. RB to William Wetmore Story, Emelyn Story & Edith Story
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 310–311.
The Athenæum
Nov. 20. ’63.
Dear Friends,
Oh me, the delay that has been in answering your last letter, Edie’s dear little note: Have you thought hard things of me, or been sure, like your good selves, that there was no wrong in the silence after all. But to business, for Odo Russell goes to-morrow. I forwarded the parcel to Lansdowne House [1] at once, and hope you know as much. I did the same by Ly. Ashburton’s, on her return. And now, listen! Chapman formally asked me to do what you shall hear. He said you had agreed to reduce the two vols: of R. di R. to one for hand-book use: [2] that your abstractions were not sufficient, accompanied as they were by new matter: and that something more must be done to effect your purpose as well as his own: I at first refused decidedly—on the ground that you had pleased yourself, and I could not & would not cut away what you wished to leave. I bade him send me the proofs, however, which I engaged to correct thoroughly. He said somebody else must attempt it in consequence. When the first proofs arrived, I bethought me—and made up my mind that you would be safer under my hand than any other’s. I accordingly went through the whole book again and, with proper tenderness, have only touched a few corroborative passages which do not interfere with the text, and may be supposed to answer the purpose of notes—so can be producible at any time in another shape. There was no removing any of your own descriptions or remarks—but some of the historical notices of early times are not so immediately to the present purpose of the book and may be postponed—let us say. Thus in the paper on the Jews, while all the part relating to the medieval and modern state of things is retained, some of the more recondite & preliminary matter is removed. Also, I much fear, the final note on the Population of old Rome must be given up: I shall see, at the very end,—but, according to the project, something must be sacrificed—the volume would otherwise be too bulky: and I preferred, as I say, detaching what might be used separately hereafter, to breaking up the pictures and discourses in the book which are in immediate request. At all events I have done my best,—and certainly better,—inasmuch as more liberally to my author,—than the regular man of all work would have done: but the task is an ungracious one, and I don’t like it—though I like you to judge of it, for you will understand & forgive. To make amends, be sure that what is printed shall be flawless and perfect as care can make it. This much said, I will go on, the first day I can find, and write in my old way—not having time now for the many things: only adding, that Pen is quite well, and that I wish I were with you,—words cannot say how much. After all, will it not be kindest to write at once to me and tell me how you bear with my meddling? Oh, you’ll say, he has done his best, whatever that may be, and I forgive him. I ventured to give Geo. Barrett a letter to you—sure you would show him kindness for old times’ sake. All love to you all.
Affy Robt Browning
Publication: BAF, pp. 130–132.
Manuscript: University of Texas.
1. For Louisa Howard (see letter 5274, note 2).
2. A “Third and Cheaper Edition” of Story’s Roba di Roma “in 1 vol.” was issued by Chapman and Hall on 6 February 1864. See their advertisement in The Athenæum of that date (no. 1893, p. 203).
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