5921. RB to Frederic Leighton
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 216.
[London]
June 22. ’67.
Leighton, my boy, I want to tell you myself that a pleasant thing has happened to me,—for that will please you, I know, dear good fellow as you are. The people of Oxford have altogether surprised me by their bestowal of an M.A. Degree by diploma—which the Keeper of the Archives [1] desires me to know is “Not a lower degree than that of D.C.L. but a much higher honour, hardly given since Dr Johnson’s time except to Kings and Royal Personages (see vol: 1. of Boswell under the year 1755)—the diploma making the recipient a Member of Convocation, which the D.C.L. does not.” [2] Now, I don’t call for mere gauds—and, as far as my own life is concerned, want mainly to be quiet—but this is,—besides being a nice proof of the kind feeling of the young men, from whom I suppose the pressure comes,—this is just the thing for me who want presently to keep my eye on Pen without seeming suspicious or intrusive,—giving me, as it does, reasons enough for going to Oxford every now & then. So I am glad,—and you are glad too.
Ever affectionately yours
Robert Browning.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. John Griffiths.
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