5487. Sophia Landor to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 31, 175–176.
Tachbrooke. Leamington
22nd Novr [1864] [1]
My dear Sir
Accept my thanks for your letter of the 16th I have heard nothing more of affairs in Italy; but the delay is quite as likely to be caused by my Cousin at Rugeley as by those in Italy; it is of little consequence, excepting that it prevents you from closing accounts & remitting the balance to Made Romagnoli. My cousin, Robert Landor is a very immovable person & we have no resource but to let him take his own time & way. Accept my thanks also for your kind acquiescence with my request about the Picture: [2] you must have wondered what crochet had possessed me: you shall hear. In looking over some old letters from my Uncle Walter to my Uncle Henry, I found one relating, among other things, to this very Picture. It revived so many pleasant & amusing recollections, in which my Uncle Robert was associated, I thought he wld like to see the letter: I had also a strong suspicion he wld wish to have the Picture. I sent him the letter & the later history of the Picture. By return of post, he writes, in great spirits, “I have heard more of the early history of the Picture than you have; you say you can obtain it for me, do so, I will have it!–” “Besides other motives, I shld really wish for the last of the treasures which poor Walter possessed that cld be transferred to me.” I told him about the sum the carriage of the Picture has cost, [3] (I do not remember it accurately) & also of its companion, which I suppose must accompany it: he is quite prepared for both & for the cost, as well as for the expenses of having them again packed & forwarded to Birlingham: the associations connected with this great Picture will render it worth the money to him, however bad it may be. May I ask you to be kind enough, at your convenience, to find some person who will relieve you of all further trouble, by putting both Pictures into a proper case & forwarding them to the accompanying address; & if he will send notice when they are despatched & enclose his bill, my Uncle will immediately discharge it & send to meet the Pictures. Perhaps you will prefer sending the other account through me: pray do not hesitate to let us know all that is due to you, for this troublesome charge: I am glad to think you will, at length, be relieved of it. I rejoice to hear that your Son is quite recovered. My Uncle Henry is still very far from well, he joins me in most sincere regards, ever gratefully yrs
E. Sophia Landor
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Yale University.
1. Year provided by Sophia Landor’s references to the settling of Walter Savage Landor’s estate.
2. “The Last Judgement.”
3. About six pounds; see letter 5122.
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