5511. RB to Julia Wedgwood

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 31, 193.

[London]

2.¾. p.m. Christmas Day, ’64.

You must know, that I find myself so out of sorts with a cold & cough, that it is plainly better to keep in the house to-day: the more, that to-night I cannot keep in it, having to dine with my old friend, [1] as I told you. He likes my presence rather than my absence—but I won’t be sure that he likes myself rather than my presence. But you may, although you are no old friend: so, I reserve my precious being for other Sunday mornings– I thought I would try & go, till the last minute—now, when I reluctantly give up the notion. Besides, I fancy colds are “catching”,—and why should you be caught?

I sent the Book yesterday. [2]

So, till next Sunday, goodbye!

Yours affectionately

R Browning.

Publication: RB-JW, p. 119.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. John Forster.

2. Dramatis Personæ (2nd ed., 1864).

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