5674. RB to Isa Blagden
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 31.
[London]
19th Dec: [1865] [1]
My dearest Isa,
This will be a very hurried & poor letter,—if it catch the post, even, is a doubt. The calls on my attention have been incessant thro’ the morning. One great thing had to be properly acknowledged before I could even write to you—Cottrell’s letter apprising me of the Monument’s being really in its place. [2] You know what a load that news takes from my mind. Now, Isa—whenever you can,—whenever the weather allows, and other matters give you the time,—do you, pray, go and see and tell me how all strikes you,—exactly that: I shall understand whatever you say. I have told Cottrell how much I thank him—one word, which I omitted, you will perhaps forward to him at your convenience. It happens that your letter is longer—and therefore better—than usual—& I was intending to give you double your allowance of gossip, in return—but this news puts all out of my head.
I have had a letter from Wilson, simply (in every sense of the word) dated “13. a.” Street, House &c—unknown. I wrote to her a month ago, to the old address, and she evidently has never received the letter. I should be very glad to have the new one—yet I can’t bear to trouble you. (It shows how unsafe the post is—for, between us, there was a scrap addressed to Brini in my letter—luckily of no use but to her,—don’t mention it, for reasons I have.)
I will leave off—for the best of reasons, and have my talk out next time. I saw Tennyson three, or four times last week, [3] and wanted to tell you about him. Don’t you go, now, and be ungenerous, and crib any of my next letter from me!
You are really the likelier to see me one fine day at Florence, now this business is over.
God bless you, my best of friends
Robert Browning.
Publication: DI, pp. 229–230.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. Year provided by RB’s hearing of “the Monument’s being really in its place” and by his reference to Tennyson.
2. Over EBB’s grave in the Protestant Cemetery at Florence.
3. See letter 5677, SD2802, and SD2804.
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