5496. RB to Sophia Landor
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 31, 182–183.
19. Warwick Crescent
Upper Westbourne Terrace, W
Dec 2. ’64.
My dear Miss Landor,
At last I have received the Copy of the Will for which my Banker was instructed to apply: the fact of its having been translated,—as well as the other formalities of which you will observe vouchers in plenty,—accounts for the delay, I suppose. The cost of the whole proves to be—not 36 scudi, according to Mrs Landor’s complaint to Mr Kirkup—but 71. Lire. 87. centesmi or under 14 scudi: she certainly cannot have paid a farthing more than Mr Brini. You now have virtually the document itself—and can send it to Mr R. Landor, who may act upon it forthwith. It is, as you know, an exact duplicate of the English Will, and plain enough in its directions.
On receiving your letter of the 29th I wrote at once to Made Romagnoli, apprising her of your Uncles’ most generous desire with respect to the residue of the money in my hands. I had before informed her (you may remember) that some such acknowledgement was intended—and she bade me thank you most gratefully: but she went on to say that for various reasons she was doubtful whether it would not be better, in the interest of her boys, to return to England where her sisters are respectably established,—and that, should she decide on this, I must keep the money till she required it. I have now written to tell her—first, to settle the account with the Doctor if still out-standing; and then,—the probable sum which your Uncles munificence confers upon her: adding, of course, that it is at her disposal from this moment, but that whenever she does receive it,—she must report the sum to you. She is probably tired of lodging-letting, and anxious that Orestes and Pylades (as the couple were christened to the amazement of the Northumberland Clergyman) should be as English as may be. Her Husband, honest and good-natured, has been unfitted, I fear, by so many years of service, for doing much towards the maintenance of his family, though quite able to keep himself as before.
I will deduct the expenses of the Will from the money in my hands. [1] I meant also to deduct those of the Picture; but on my sending the Packer’s Bill to your Uncle, he returned it with a request that I would send also the note of expenses aforesaid, that he might pay both at once by a single order to me: I had not alluded to the latter,—but it seemed that I should spare trouble by complying. I have accordingly received the 5.19.4 mentioned in my accounts. I received also a second letter from Mr Landor—one of those Landorian letters, of which I really think the secret will die with the family (may the omen be averted!)—quite enough to light up a life with the effluence from such nobility of nature. I hesitate to speak of your letters, dear Miss Landor,—but you can have no objection to a proper estimate of those of your Uncle.
Ever gratefully and faithfully yours
Robert Browning.
I rejoice at Mr Henry Landor’s amended health and beg to be most kindly remembered to him.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Yale University.
1. RB enclosed the family’s copy of Landor’s half-yearly accounts, the balance showing £94 2s. 5d. As RB records, the expenses of the will, including postage, came to 74 lire, 27 centesimi, a little under 3 pounds, which left the balance at about 91 pounds. This RB “paid … to Made. Romagnuoli at the desire of Miss Landor. Jan. 1865” (see vol. 26, p. 393).
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