5486. Robert Williams Buchanan to RB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 31, 175.

Woodlands Cottage

Iver

Uxbridge

19th Nov. [1864] [1]

Dear Mr Browning–

Thanks many thanks! Your answer is just what I expected—kind, hearty, generous.– I wish if possible to get the book out at Xmas; but I will write to you again & more definitely in a day or two.

But I should like your poem soon, because I think of making an appeal to (say) Mr Millais for an Illustration to one or other of the contributions, & it would be necessary to send him a theme.

Again, many thanks.

Most faithfully yours

Robert Buchanan

Robert Browning Esq.

N.B.

Of course it is unimportant to what kind of writing the contribution belongs. Anything of yours would be invaluable. If I dared suggest, I should say there is matter in Gray’s own story for some stern teaching. I have longed again & again to know what your views might be of the modern pursuit of literature as a profession, and have wished for an enunciation as much to the point as “Waring.” [2] —Now, you mus[t]n’t be angry at the Mouse for squealing in the ear of the Lion.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Alexander Turnbull Library.

1. Year provided by Buchanan’s reference to the memorial proposed for David Gray (see letter 5483).

2. RB, “Waring” (Dramatic Lyrics, 1842).

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