5452. Sophia Landor to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 31, 133–134.
Tachbrooke. Leamington.
30th Septr [1864] [1]
My dear Sir
Accept many thanks for your letter of the 25th inst. The tidings of my poor Uncle’s death were communicated to us by his second Son, Walter, who was good enough to write to me immediately: the account was even shorter & less circumstantial than Made Romagnoli’s, but it conveyed the comforting assurance that he had passed away suddenly & with very little suffering or illness; for this we cannot but feel deeply thankful. No mention was made of the proposed time or place of Burial & we have refrained from all inquiry, but I long to know that he was carried respectfully but simply, to his last resting place, in Protestant burial ground; & that his remains were followed by some friend who wld render the tribute of sincere affection & respect: it pains me much to think how few who really loved him cld be there. Never was there a warmer heart or one fuller of tenderness & sympathy. I cannot bear to think that no warm, loving heart followed him to the Grave: I hope it was not so. I hope too that his Sons were with him at the last, he loved them, after all, & it wd soothe his last hours to see them near, & as they seem to have been in the habit of visiting him frequently of late, I trust they have been a source of comfort to him. It seems scarcely possible that his Widow & Sons cld permit the Funeral expenses to be borne by any one besides themselves; but when we think of the past, we may well doubt. We shall not inquire, you will soon hear; if it shld be so I believe it will be the wish of his Brothers that every reasonable & proper cost shld be at once discharged & that Made Romagnioli shld receive a liberal compensation for her care & attention, with the assurance that they are gratefully appreciated. I hope you will find that there are sufficient funds at your command, for all that may be required; if not, I trust to your sincerity to let me know. I find the £50 for the approaching quarter had been remitted to Mr Forster’s account before the news of my Uncle’s death had reached us. I fear your most benevolent services in our behalf are not yet concluded, we must still crave your kindness to see that all these charges are duly defrayed; & then there is the Will, of which you are one of the Executors: I fear that will give you some trouble, but I know not what course you will have to take regarding it, I sincerely hope it may not involve you in any serious pain or trouble. Is not it best that you shld retain possession of the, so called, Will, made 2 years ago, it was committed to you & you may be questioned about it. I am afraid to talk to my Uncle Henry about these things, he has been too much affected & has had no good sleep since the news reached him, the consequence is a considerable degree of irritation on the brain, for the present he is scarcely competent to consider any business & it is most desirable to avoid every thing that wld be likely to provoke his mind. I read to him your letter, for he speaks constantly of his Brother, & he feels truly grateful for all you say; of your entire sympathy we cld have no doubt, for you have acted a truly filial part to my poor Uncle & have done for him far more than we all cld do; you have been a true son to him in the times of his greatest need & the consciousness of your benevolence will I am sure supply you with a rich reward. My Uncle Robert is of a much calmer temperament than his Brother Henry & if I may judge from his letters, is less affected & is tolerably well. I wrote immediately to Mrs Forster, for I am sure my Uncle had no truer friend than her good Husband, I have had no reply & it is very long since I have heard of them; I hope all is well with them. I ought to add that what I have written regarding Funeral expenses is authorised only by my Uncle Henry, but I feel no doubt of my Uncle Robert’s concurrence & I am unwilling to defer writing to you until I can hear from him, as it wld probably involve a week’s delay: if he does not altogether assent, of course. I will write again as soon as possible. I beg you to offer my kind remembrances to your Sister & believe me ever
Most gratefully & sincerely Yrs
Elizth Sophia Landor
Since writing this, I have received a letter from Mrs Forster: they have been spending the month in Ireland & appear to have greatly enjoyed themselves.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Yale University.
1. Year provided by references to Landor’s death.
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