5956. RB to Henry Francis Cockayne-Cust
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 251.
Croisic, Loire Infre, France,
Sept 22. ’67.
My dear Cust– [1] More than a word I will not say, but less than one sincere word of deep sympathy I cannot say, in this sad surprise of the news which grieved me so much yesterday, [2] as the newspaper reached this wild place. One cannot hope to be of the poorest service on such an occasion; but it seems natural to give some kind of witness to the existence of the feeling I have for the admirable and beloved friend that is lost, and for you who bear a blow to which mine is even light in comparison. Fortunately you are a brave energetic man, and will bear up, getting the good out of the consciousness of having deserved all those happy years. With true sympathy for Miss Streatfeild, [3] let me call myself
affectionately yours
Robert Browning.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection.
1. Henry Francis Cockayne-Cust (1819–84); see vol. 18, p. 354.
2. The death of his wife, Sarah Jane Cockayne-Cust (née Cookson, formerly Streatfeild, 1821–67) on 14 September. She had given birth to a son the same day. The Times of 19 September 1867 announced the cause of death as “disease of the heart” (p. 1).
3. Sara Marie Streatfeild (afterwards Donaldson-Hudson, later Collier, 1850–1909).
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