5633. Dante Gabriel Rossetti to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 31, 281.
16 Cheyne Walk
23 Aug 1865
My dear Browning
A valued friend of mine, Charles Howell, [1] is collecting materials respecting the early Italian painters for Ruskin. It is a matter of importance to him (Howell) to do his best for Ruskin, & as I well know that you are brimful of new materials & ideas on the Subject & have told him so, he is very anxious to have an introduction to you. I may tell you that he narrowly missed obtaining such introduction once before at Florence in 1858, when he was a mere youth; my brother having given him a letter for Casa Guidi; [2] which he was only prevented from delivering at the time (when he was attaché to The Portuguese legation) through being nearly assassinated by an Italian servant of his.
If you are still in town, will you kindly let me know when you could see Mr Howell, as I feel certain beforehand you will not deny him his wish, & confident also in your being pleased with him when you know him.
With kindest remembrances, I am
Ever yours affectionately
D G Rossetti
Address: Robert Browning Esq / 19 Warwick Crescent / Harrow Road.
Publication: Rossetti, 3, 321.
Manuscript: Huntington Library.
1. Charles Augustus Howell (1839–90) was born in Oporto, Portugal, son of Alfred William Hervey Howell (1799–1875) and his Portuguese wife, Dona Henriqueta Amélia de Souza Da Rosa Coelho (1811–95). See letter 4114, note 1.
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