Correspondence

5340.  RB to Harriet Hollingsworth Griffith

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 31, 22.

London, 19. Warwick Crescent,

Upper Westbourne Terrace,

Feb 24. ’64.

Dear Miss Griffith, [1]

After reading your letter and the account of the Sanitary Commission which it advocates, one is indeed affected to think that just a written word or two may help such a work, and also humiliated to find that one has only a word to give. You do me barely justice in making sure of my complete sympathy with North America in this most righteous cause; but this institution of yours rises even above justice, and appeals to the brotherhood of us all. No voice would have replied promptlier to its appeal than one silent now: [2] I shall represent it, however, and best prove the sincerity of my feeling on this occasion, by contributing what you will see overleaf. [3]

Let me thank you heartily, dear Miss Griffith, for your own kindness to myself in this matter.

I am ever faithfully and gratefully

Yours,

Robert Browning.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. Harriet Hollingsworth Griffith (afterwards Ellis, 1839–1919), daughter of Aaron Griffith, of Winchester, Virginia, and his wife, Mary (née Hollingsworth). In 1864 she became an agent for the U.S. Sanitary Commission.

2. EBB.

3. Enclosed with this letter is a fair copy of “Song of the Rose” (1850) in EBB’s handwriting, bearing a note by RB: “Autograph of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. For the Sanitary Commission of the United States. R.B.”

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