5297. RB to Lady Ashburton

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 316.

19. Warwick Crescent,

Upper Westbourne Terrace

Nov. 27. ’63

Dear Lady Ashburton, [1]

I am very happy to have your invitation—proof as it is that all must be well with you,—as also of your kind remembrance of ourselves. But so pleasant a thing as such a visit would be, [2] must not be hoped for now—holidays being over and gone, to the last allowable day, in France some weeks ago. The boy is at work with grammar & dictionary, and I can only promise him better things by and bye. There is little need of my begging you to forgive a piece of self-sacrifice which must surely speak for itself.

With thanks indeed to Lord Ashburton and to you, pray believe me

Yours faithfully ever

Robert Browning.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. Louisa Caroline Baring (née Stewart-Mackenzie, 1827–1903), Lady Ashburton, art collector and philanthropist. She married in 1858 William Bingham Baring (1799–1864), 2nd Baron Ashburton.

2. Presumably to one of the three country residences listed in RB’s address book of this period (AB-5): Melchet Court, Romsey, Hampshire; Addiscombe Villa, Croydon, Surrey; or Loch Luichart Lodge, Dingwall, Scotland.

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