5735. RB to William Michael Rossetti
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 70–71.
19 Warwick Crescent,
Upper Westbourne Terrace.
29 March 1866
My dear Rossetti,
I get from time to time letters from “Thomas Dixon, 57 Nile Street, Sunderland,” who chooses to write them and embarrass me: he sends books as “presents”—thinking there is a lack of that commodity in London, apparently. And I don’t like to hurt his feelings because, from sundry peculiar bits of spelling and other epistolary infelicities in a mild way, I suppose him to need indulgence. He now sends two books [1] —but I will let him say his own say. You see, I am in no condition to guess whether he knows you, or does not know; [whether you] [2] will be pleased with his “loan,” or bothered, as I own myself to be. But, on the whole, let each bear his own burden; and so, as bidden, I pass on the thing to you, really having no alternative. What you will do in turn I shall not concern myself with: only, I entreat, don’t return them to me—who moreover will go out of London for the next fortnight.
Very truly yours ever,
Robert Browning.
Text: Rossetti Papers, 1862 to 1870, comp. William Michael Rossetti (London, 1903), pp. 179–180.
1. One of these, according to W.M. Rossetti, was “the Life of Thomas Bewick” (Rossetti Papers, 1862 to 1870, comp. William Michael Rossetti, 1903, p. 179). There being no book with such a title at that time, Rossetti doubtless meant A Memoir of Thomas Bewick, Written by Himself. Embellished by Numerous Wood Engravings (1862). Thomas Bewick (1753–1828), of Northumberland, was the finest wood engraver of his era. His memoir, “written between 1822 and 1828 … was published by his daughter Jane [Bewick]” (ODNB).
2. Brackets supplied by text.
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