5687. Aubrey Thomas de Vere to RB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 41–42.

Adare Manor

Adare.

Jan. 14. 1866

My dear Browning

Will you let me make you acquainted with my friends Mr & Mrs Nixon [1] who are your near neighbours in London to which they return from this place in a few days.

Mrs Nixon has the greatest love & knowledge of Poetry possessed by any lady of my acquaintance excepting sister. [2] In conversation you will find her vivid appretiation of all good poetry quite delightful, especially in these prosaic days when few have time to enjoy these things aright. She has just lent me your latest vol. of poetry, [3] but I have only had time to look into it as yet.

I hope your boy is well.

Adieu—Ever yours

Aubrey de Vere

Remember that for every unamiable sketch of a Monk or Bishop you have given us, you owe us an amiable one to balance it.

Address: Robert Browning Esq.

Publication: None traced.

Source: Transcript in editors’ file.

1. Brinsley de Courcy Nixon (1825–1903), banker, and his wife, Caroline Mary (née Goold, 1836–75). The husband is listed in RB’s address book of this period (AB-5) at 3 Stanhope Terrace, Hyde Park.

2. At this time de Vere had one surviving sister, Elinor Jane Alicia Lucy O’Brien (née de Vere, 1811–89).

3. RB’s latest single title was A Selection from the Works of Robert Browning (1865); see letter 5532, note 2.

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