5773. RB to Robert Barrett Browning
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 95–96.
[Paris]
Sunday Mg [17 June 1866] [1]
Dearest Pen, I have two letters to thank you for, as there is no post to-day in London: I have no objection to your going to Henley, [2] —but I shall be back long before Thursday,—on Tuesday, that is: either in the morning, if I leave to-morrow night; or the evening, if I take the tidal train: not later, I am sure. I have nothing more to do here: Sarianna will settle her affairs and join us very soon: she will bring her chairs, & Nonno’s dear books, & pictures &c and establish herself in the little room which I will make comfortable: but she must take her own time to do this. Dear Nonno’s funeral took place yesterday, [3] with all possible respect: Milsand, Mr Conolly, [4] Mr O’Meagher, [5] Mr Digweed, [6] —& others,—poor old Tellier & Servan, Madame Louis’ nephew included, [7] —in three coaches. To-day there was a very kind & good Funeral sermon preached at the Chapelle Marbœuf by Mr Gardiner, [8] the Chaplain,—who also read the service yesterday: he knew Nonno,—& loved him of course,—but had been always struck with his humility & goodness, as well as his acquirements,—he spoke of him in a way honorable to both, & very grateful to me & Sarianna & Milsand who was present. Tellier came this morning, and cried while he praised him. I don’t think I have said enough about Madame Louis—who was perfect from first to last.
You did quite right about ordering the clothes for yourself, and I daresay what you say about colours is true: I shall wait till I go to London, as it will make little difference, and I may have what I want, already.
Understand therefore that I shall either arrive early on Tuesday—or late,—in all likelihood: if anything happens to keep me another day, don’t wonder nor be alarmed—I will write, & come next day, Wednesday, in that case. Send or take the Tickets for Ella’s [9] to the Storys at once, if you have not done so.
Good bye, dearest—all love from Sarianna, & Milsand, who is here while I write.
Ever affectionately yours
Robert Browning.
Thank dearest Arabel for her kind letter to me.
Publication: LRB, pp. 98–99.
Manuscript: British Library.
1. Dated by RB’s reference to the funeral “yesterday,” 16 June 1866.
2. For the Henley-on-Thames Royal Regatta, held Wednesday and Thursday, 20 and 21 June 1866. An Oxford rowing crew was entered in the competition and won two of the races (see The Times of 20 and 21 June 1866, pp. 9 and 7, respectively).
3. RB’s father was buried on 16 June 1866 in the Cimetière du Nord, Montmartre.
4. Unidentified.
5. J.B. O’Meagher (1810–80), Paris correspondent for The Times (1848–69). He is listed in RB’s address book of this period (AB-5) at 1 Rue Lepelletier, Paris.
6. John Stephen Digweed (1812–89), barrister, with an address in Rue Colysée.
7. We have been unable to identify the nephew, “old Tellier,” or Servan.
8. George Gregory Gardiner (1805–90), chaplain of the English church at 10 Avenue Marbœuf from 1859 to 1872.
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