5358. RB to Robert Barrett Browning
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 31, 36–37.
19. Warwick Crescent,
Upper Westbourne Terr:
Apr. 20. ’64
Dearest Pen,
I am delighted to get your letter and know so soon that you are safely arrived and as happy as I expected. I suppose there was some mistake and that the Altham’s [1] never knew you were coming. Give my best love to your Uncle and Aunt [2] and thank them for all their kindness to you. You dont tell me how your Hand is, nor your cough: don’t forget to mention them when you write: and don’t write long letters, because I don’t want you to teaze yourself or do anything but enjoy the country and this beautiful weather. I send the lint which Cook forgot to give you, and will send another piece next time I write. I went to Ella’s yesterday, [3] and as Ly Westmorland could not go, and Mrs. Bracken was out when I called, I gave the tickets to Leighton and Val Prinsep: the music was delightfully played. I have seen nothing of Willy yet. I am going to dine with Gen: Lodwick [4] and, after, to Ly Salisbury’s. [5] All day I have been modelling a head of Dante, and mean to occupy myself with my clay in your absence. You know how I must miss you, but I am glad of it, as I am sure this holiday will do you good.
Arabel sends her love and informs you and everybody that Ocky has let his house [6] from next Mid summer—a capital thing. Now I shall leave off, not meaning to frighten you with a long affair of a letter. I wrote to the Storys as well as Isa, [7] and daresay that I shall hear from them in good time. Now take great care of yourself,—particularly of your Hand: and only write when quite at leisure,—and then, not a bit longer than you like. Tell Harry and your Aunt again how much I thank them. God bless you.
Ever yours affectionately
Robert Browning.
You see by Ld P’s speech last night that this new crime of the poor Emperor’s was another pure invention, and that he never said a word about Garibaldi’s going. [8]
Address: Robert Barrett-Browning Esq / care of Harry Moulton Barrett Esq / Combe Head, / near Tiverton, / North Devon.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. William Surtees Altham (né Cook) and his wife, Arabella (“Bell”), resided at Stoke Court, Stoke St. Mary’s, near Taunton; the Henry Moulton-Barretts, at Combe Head, near Tiverton—a distance of about 20 miles.
2. Sophia Amelia Moulton-Barrett (née Holland, 1823–87); see letter 4115, note 1.
3. A concert conducted by John Ella (see letter 5225, note 13), presented on 19 April at 3:30 in St. James’s Hall, was advertised In The Observer of 17 April 1864 (p. 1). The program included chamber works by Mozart and Haydn and a Beethoven piano sonata played by Charles Hallé (see letter 5225, note 14).
4. Peter Lodwick (1784–1873)—see letter 3286, note 7—is listed in RB’s address book of this period (AB-5) at 63 Westbourne Terrace, Hyde Park.
6. Trefnanny Hall, near Welshpool, Montgomeryshire (now Powys). Octavius Moulton-Barrett later “shifted his quarters” to Combe House, near Dulverton, West Somerset, about 13 miles north of Tiverton (see Surtees, 31 October 1864).
7. RB’s letter to Isa of 19 April 1864 has not surfaced.
8. The Times of 20 April 1864 (p. 6) carried an account of the previous day’s session in the House of Commons. Prime Minister Lord Palmerston was asked “whether the Government had made any suggestion to General Garibaldi (laughter) to induce him to curtail his visit to this country.” He replied: I have been told that it has been reported in different quarters in this town that the termination earlier than was expected of the visit of General Garibaldi … is the result of some suggestion coming from Her Majesty’s Government, and that that suggestion has been dictated by a communication received … from the Emperor of the French. (Hear, hear.) All I can say is, that those who spread or believe that report have done great injustice both to the Emperor of the French and to Her Majesty’s Government.”
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