Correspondence

5694.  RB to Jane Octavia Brookfield

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 45.

19. Warwick Crescent,

Upper Westbourne Terrace, W.

Feb: 6. ’66.

Dear Mrs Brookfield, [1]

How much I thank you for your kind thought of what would, on so many accounts, be a true pleasure to me! [2] There is hardly any chance, however, that I get away in time from a party where I must go. Should the chances favour me, you know what I will do,—but they will be chances indeed.

All thanks to you, and all regards to Mr Brookfield.

Very sincerely yours

Robert Browning.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. Jane Octavia Brookfield (née Elton, 1821–96), literary hostess and writer. She married William Henry Brookfield (1809–74) in 1841.

2. Mrs. Brookfield had invited RB to a dinner party held on 9 February, which was attended by Tennyson, Mrs. Sartoris, and Mrs. Procter (see letter from Bryan Waller Procter to John Forster, 10 February 1866, ms at V&A).

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