Correspondence

5791.  RB to Lord Houghton

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 112.

19 Warwick Crescent,

Upper Westbourne Terrace, W.

July 24. ’66.

Dear Houghton,

I think of going to Guernsey, [1] at the week’s end,—on Friday, to-wit:—I don’t know whether to stay a while or otherwise; but, what do you say?— Could you well give me a word of introduction to Victor Hugo? [2] Be quite sure that I know your good nature in such (—and all other—) matters so thoroughly that I shall understand that “cannot” is correct—to the letters of the word, if you write it.

Ever truly yours

Robert Browning.

Publication: NL, p. 177 (in part).

Manuscript: Trinity College, Cambridge.

1. As it turned out, RB and his fellow travellers stopped at Jersey, rather than Guernsey, on their way to Brittany.

2. For Lord Houghton’s letter of introduction for RB, see letter 5794. Victor Hugo (1802–85), an exile from France, lived on Guernsey from 1855 to 1870.

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