5454. RB to Sophia Landor
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 31, 136–138.
Biarritz,
Oct. 3. ’64.
My dear Miss Landor,
Thank you heartily for your letter. I was doubtful whether I should transmit at once the scanty intelligence contained in a second letter from Madame Romagnuoli, or wait till the answer to my own enquiries shall arrive—but that may not happen till I get to Paris or London. Her words are, “Mr Landor was buried on Monday”; (19th Sept) “his two Sons only were here to take him to his resting-place, and his Son Walter said he would see to the expenses of the Funeral. I have seen neither Count Cottrell nor Brini” (the Banker)—“and when Ferdinando took the paper” (my memorandum of the existence and depositure of the Will) “to C. Cottrell, he said it would be better he gave it to his Son, which he did. Since the Funeral I have seen no one. What is to be done with the Pictures here, and a Drawer, which is sealed, with little in it except the watch and last writings?” I can only account for this strange and unseemly absence of friends at the ceremony by supposing that most of them were away from the town at the time, and that the event was slow in coming to their knowledge: it struck me painfully. Made Romagnuoli adds “Poor old man—it is a loss it [sic, for to] me—but as it was, no one could wish him to remain: he did not seem to enjoy anything, and was so deaf that he could hear nothing; but at the last he was very patient.” Madame R. and her husband, and occasionally the Porter, sat up with Mr Landor by turns; his sons were constant in their attendance, and there is no cause for regret on that score, happily.
Mr Landor’s last note to me bears the postmark of Aug: 18: [1] he was misunderstanding the wish of the Landlord to resume the occupation of his appartments,—and stated energetically that he would not leave them. I desired Mad. R. to bring the Landlord to any terms and secure a quiet possession for the next six months at least; this was done—I suppose by the usual persuasive—and I am apprehensive from what she says, that the appartments (a word I never spell rightly now) may remain on her hands, which would be embarrassing under present circumstances. I have advised her to try and get out of her bargain with as little loss as possible,—and to give me as soon as convenient a detailed account of all expenses, which I will defray, and then return you the residue of our funds, which you know is no inconsiderable sum. The next quarter’s £50 will be altogether unnecessary, and should be returned at once. I shall mention to Mad. R. the kind feeling of your family for her,—I know she has been indefatigable in her services, and believe that in the main they were successful in lightening the heavy load of these last years.
The Will is liable to be carried into effect by the Authorities in Florence, I believe: the family will probably communicate with you on the subject. It is perhaps proper to repeat that I absolutely decline receiving any legacy of Pictures, or any article of value whatever, and transfer my right in such legacy to yourself and your Sister: the only exception I should make would be in the case of any m.s.s or valueless books which the Testator may have consigned to me from quite other motives, to preserve, or examine, or destroy. I remember that it was impossible to prevent the insertion of some such clause in the Will, and that I explained its appearance to you at the time.
I beg to offer my deep sympathy to your Uncles, and to assure them that, whatever my endeavours may be worth, they command them now and always. I leave this place on the 7th inst. and hope to be in London by the 14th
Ever faithfully yours,
Robert Browning.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Yale University.
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