5315. RB to Sophia Landor
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 31, 6–7.
19. Warwick Crescent,
Upper Westbourne Terrace,
Jan 12. ’64.
My dear Miss Landor,
I submit again the “accounts”—which continue, I think, satisfactory. [1] Mr Landor would appear, however, to be rather unwell with Lumbago—he is unable to get up, or dress himself without assistance: though Made Romagnuoli hopes that this will go off: she is embar[r]assed by the departure of her Husband [2] for Rome—the said Husband’s strength having been put into requisition in this difficulty. I have directed her to get assistance if the necessary nursing be too much for her without it. I hope that with the better weather amendment will follow.
Mr Landor was so well a few weeks ago, that I thought it of little use to write. Indeed there was rather formidable activity at one time, about the publication of these “Idylls” [3] —and the misapprehensions attending it, as usual—out of all troubles, nevertheless, we are now got, I believe,—Mr Twisleton having helped energetically. I will not give you the unlucky particulars—suffice it that at present Mr Twisleton is the man—(I wish Mr Landor had always judged or guessed so accurately!) poor Mr Walker is,—never mind what!—and, miraculousest fact of all, Mr Forster is in favour again, for as good reason as ever he was out of favour: I fortunately am where I was! The Book is really a wonderful one, and I delight in seeing the acknowledgement of its rare qualities in reviews [4] which will give the Author pleasure, whatever he may protest.
I should—or, should I?—tell you that an infamous letter of abuse was sent lately to Mr L.—probably from the old enemy at Bath: [5] it was beneath notice, and only should be mentioned or remembered as illustrative of the writer’s true character.
I trust that your uncles enjoy tolerable health,—that yourself and your Sister are well in every way. Give my true respect and regard to one & all—and believe me ever
Most faithfully yours
Robert Browning.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Yale University.
1. Enclosed with this letter is RB’s half-yearly account of Landor’s expenditures, from July through December 1863. This account and the one sent with letter 5496 are the only family copies we have traced. For RB’s copy of this half year, see vol. 26, p. 391.
2. Ferdinando Romagnoli (1819–93), the Brownings’ former manservant.
3. Landor’s Heroic Idyls, published on 14 November 1863.
4. In The Athenæum of 9 January 1864, for example, the reviewer began: “These Idyls may take their place with those heretofore given us by Mr. Landor. Judged of simply by their merits, they compel that rare admiration which we yield only to noble ideals made palpable by true Art” (no. 1889, p. 50).
5. Presumably from Mary Jane Yescombe or one of her representatives. See letter 4214, note 4.
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