5401. Aubrey Thomas de Vere to RB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 31, 71.

[Florence]

14 June 1864

<***> I found him in a very sad situation. [1] He is almost entirely deaf, & can hardly make himself the least heard, so very much is his voice gone. He complains also that his eyes are bad, but I found him with a book in his hand,—Dickens. He appears to bear up bravely & not to pity himself: but it is very sad to see a man of 90 years of age [2] in that lonely lodging. Is it quite impossible that family feuds may be so far put aside as to permit of his living with his natural protectors at Fiesole? Possibly they may come & see him occasionally. I could hardly hear a word the old man said: yet I regretted much that I was not able to remain longer in Florence & call again. Though he seemed hardly able in any way to communicate with one yet I have no doubt he likes to be visited. <***>

Publication: None traced.

Source: Transcript in editors’ file.

1. i.e., Walter Savage Landor.

2. Landor was then 89 years old.

___________________