5780. RB to Frederic Chapman
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 102–103.
19. Warwick Crescent,
Upper Westbourne Terrace, W.
June 26. ’66.
My dear Chapman,
I was prevented by various circumstances from calling yesterday, and do not know whether I can get to you to-day: so I write. I am sure I felt at least as much pain, as you possibly could, in taking such a step as, at first, seemed incumbent on me: and I felt as real a pleasure when your explanation proved sufficient. As for the agreement,—I will sign it, of course—though it leaves matters pretty much where it finds them: for I have never complained that you did not make me a sufficient allowance on the copies printed,—nor that the payments were not made precisely at the proper time,—for I never doubted but you would always be ready to do so if I took the trouble to ask you; still less did I ever blame you for not giving me an exact account of copies on hand,—on the contrary you have always proposed to examine the books and report progress,—the less necessary a thing, because, once paid for the edition, I have no further money-interest in the copies on hand. Of course, absolute punctuality is best for us both; still, I repeat, my supposed grievance did not lie there—but in what I thought the fact that a publication from which we were entitled to expect considerable results had proved a comparative failure,—and it did strike me that my trees of this sort would gain by changing the soil. I desire no better than that you show me I was wrong. You must do me the justice to say, I neither show suspiciousness nor inordinate expectation of gain,—nor do I ever pretend to teach you on matters which you cannot but understand better than myself. But really my income may be seriously affected by affairs in Italy, [1] and I ought to care a little about what most of my fellows of the pen care abundantly for.
I don’t see anything to remark on—except the obligation, in case we part company, to buy steel plates—are they not paid for out of the first expenditure?– Ex. gr. £25 in the case of the “Selections.” It seems to me that the stereotyping, which is not so charged for (I believe)—is a different thing: am I right or wrong?
I shall wait for the account—the exact sum due to me—before I pay in the cheque; [2] and that I shall be glad to have at once.
I return the letters,—which quite satisfy me as to what may be your unfor[e]seen liabilities: for the future, I am warned.
You see, poor Miss Blagden has been too well justified in her complaints, [3] —and it is a worse case apparently than I or she supposed,—though you are happily out of it. I sent her your letter at once.
If you tell me, when you write, that the agreement is drawn up, I will go and sign it on any day you appoint.
Very truly yours ever
Robert Browning.
Publication: NL, pp. 173–174 (as to Edward Chapman).
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. i.e., his investment in Tuscan funds may be in danger owing to the war in Italy (see letter 5776, note 3).
2. We have been unable to determine what this “cheque” is for.
3. Concerning Bradbury and Evans (see letter 5146, note 2).
___________________
