5892. RB to James Innes Minchin

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 192.

19. Warwick Crescent,

Upper Westbourne Terrace, W.

April 17. ’67.

My dear Mr Minchin, [1]

I fear I have taxed your patience and goodnature too severely, and perhaps done myself injustice by this delay in replying to your kind letter. My engagements were so uncertain at the time I received it, that I could hardly reply, indeed: now, however, I see my way more clearly, and make haste to say that, if next Saturday week,—the 27th,—will suit you, I shall be very glad to dine with you as you so kindly propose. I find it will be impossible for my son to accompany me, deep as he is in the throes of his imminent matriculation at Balliol. But he thanks you properly for your goodness.

I am, my dear Mr Minchin

Very truly yours

Robert Browning.

I must beg the favour of a word in reply, which shall specify the time as well as day.

Address: James Minchin Esq / 4. Palace Road, / Upper Norwood.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. James Innes Minchin (1825–1903), civil servant, poet, translator, and chess player, was a member of the Madras Civil Service from 1844 to 1873. He had returned to England the previous year with the manuscript of his translation of The Divine Comedy, which remained unpublished until 1885. According to Minchin’s obituary in The Times of 23 January 1903, his “translation was read in ms. by Robert Browning … and highly commended by him” (p. 4).

___________________