Correspondence

5479.  RB to Louisa & Sarah Browning

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 31, 166.

19. Warwick Crescent,

Upper Westbourne Terrace, W.

Nov. 11. ’64

Dear Louisa & Sarah,

Reuben informs me of poor Mrs Mason’s [1] release from further pain. I did not think, in spite of your foreboding, that it was to be the last time, when I saw her three months ago: so much of her old fullness of life seemed bright in her still. What can one say on these occasions? We all believe, I know, that in a short time we shall be together again, and that this life would be poor indeed but for that hope.

God bless you both

Yours affy ever

R Browning.

Publication: Frank W. Gunsaulus, The Higher Ministries of Recent English Poetry (New York, 1907), frontispiece (in facsimile).

Manuscript: Ohio Wesleyan University.

1. Mary Mason (née Browning, formerly Mansir, 1805–64), RB’s half-aunt, died on 7 November 1864 at 1 Maitland Park Crescent, Haverstock Hill. She was the sister of Louisa Browning (1807–87), Sarah Browning (1814–1902), and Reuben Browning (1803–79). Mrs. Mason’s death was announced in The Daily News of 10 November, p. 8. She married her first husband, Robert Mansir (1793–1833) in 1831; her second, George Mason (1800–60), in 1857.

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