5888. RB to Robert Scott
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 189–190.
19. Warwick Crescent,
Upper Westbourne Terrace, W.
April 3. ’67.
My dear Sir,
I find myself forced to beg a favour of your kindness. My son visited Mr Jowett last week,—that gentleman having wished to judge of his proficiency with a view to the approaching Matriculation; the result is that, while his Latin is considered adequate, his Greek seems deficient. Mr Jowett suggests an amount of study which he believes would supply what is defective,—and this study I am confident can be accomplished by next October, though not by the end of this month. To guard therefore my son and myself from what I should account a calamity, I venture to beg that, if the College rules do not absolutely forbid, the Matriculation may be deferred till the time for residence, October next.
My son has just completed his eighteenth year—perhaps the peculiar circumstances of his education may have retarded a certain energy of will and directness of purpose which are now increasingly apparent: he is well aware,—tho’ somewhat later than I had hoped,—of what effort is required of him, and seems prepared to make it,—I should not otherwise appeal to your indulgence. A residence at the University will afford exactly the stimulus which home life and education are wanting in,—it is for that reason I do not wish to keep him longer away from it—till Christmas, for instance.
I am, my dear Sir,
Yours very sincerely ever,
Robert Browning.
Address: The Rev. / Dr Scott, / &c. &c. &c / Balliol College, / Oxford.
Docket, in the hand of Robert Scott: R. Browning Esq / Answd. Very well. But if / no room in Oct. he must wait / till Jan. 68. I will do what / I can.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library (envelope); and Pusey House.
___________________
