5501. RB to Robert Eyres Landor

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 31, 186.

19. Warwick Crescent,

Upper Westbourne Terrace,

Dec. 7. ’64

My dear Sir,

I have been stupidly culpable—and your goodness will sooner forgive me than I shall forgive myself. The Order came safely and punctually: but, instead of acknowledging its receipt to yourself, I mentioned it to Miss Landor in a letter which I had occasion to address to her on forwarding a paper just obtained from Florence: I can hardly believe in my own oversight—for “negligence” at least it was not.

I had something to say, too, of my satisfaction at your getting the picture and being pleased with it. You give it rightly to Allori, no doubt: its last attribution to M. Agnolo or del Piombo did all the harm. It was not, however, refused by the Lady [1] on any other account than that of want of a place for it.

I hope—and am encouraged to believe—that if I can ever be of somewhat more use to you than in the little business of packing a picture, you will give me the gratification of letting me at least try to do my best.

Ever yours most faithfully

Robert Browning.

Address: The / Revd Robert Landor, / Birlingham Rectory, / Pershore.

Docket, in recipient’s hand: Mr Browning’s last letter.

Publication: NL, p. 164.

Manuscript: Yale University.

1. Elizabeth Linton.

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