5622. Lady Cowper (1806–80) to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 31, 270–271.
4, St James’s Square
[?10] [July 1865] [1]
Dear Mr Browning
How very very kind of you. Henry [2] is at Panshanger [3] and told me that he was busy Wedy Thursy & Friday. Saty may be too late. I send your note to him by a parcel, now, & beg him if possible to get here tomorrow–
I suppose if I went with you, it would be no use, as an introduction.– Tell me what can be done[.] I am in a fever about it.– Would it do if he could call in the Eg tomorrow after 5oc. It wd be much better if you could go with him[.] If you send me an answer to this by post tonight I shall get it early tomorrow and if you thought I should do any good going with you, I would give up Herts till next day.
Sincerely yr
A F Cowper
Address: R Browning Esqr / 19 Warwick Crescent / Upper Westbourne Terrace.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Yale University.
1. Conjectured date based on the inference that Lady Cowper’s sense of urgency comes from the impending Parliamentary election in Hertfordshire (see note 2 below).
2. Henry Frederick Cowper (1836–87), second son of George Augustus Frederick Cowper (1806–56), 6th Earl Cowper, and his wife, Anne Florence (née de Grey, 1806–80). Henry was running as a Liberal for one of three seats representing Hertfordshire in Parliament. The election took place on 20 July 1865, and he came in first, followed by Conservative candidates Edward Bulwer-Lytton and H.E. Surtees (see The Morning Post of 25 July 1865, p. 2). Evidently, RB aided Henry’s candidacy in some way. In a letter to the poet, dated [21 October 1865], Lady Cowper notes that he [RB] had done all he could “to return a Liberal member for Herts” (ms at Yale).
3. The seat of Henry’s elder brother, Francis Cowper (1834–1905), 7th Earl Cowper, located 2½ miles west of Hertford.
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