5985. RB to George Murray Smith
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 271–272.
19. Warwick Crescent,
Upper Westbourne Terrace, W.
Dec. 10. ’67.
My dear Mr Smith,
You need no telling that your offer is a most liberal one which absolutely contents me, [1] —but I need some reflecting on the probability that you understand business, and will not harm yourself by your generosity. All I can say is, that I hope you will be as satisfied with me, in our connexion,—which will, I hope be a long one,—as I am with all your kindness and help, from first to last.
I agree with you on every point that you mention,—indeed. I must ask you to be good enough always to take the initiative and suggest what may be for the good of our common adventure,—my proper part will be to write as good poetry as I can, to support what is done already.
So, I will begin whenever you like,—and give this edition so thorough a looking-to, if your printers will mind me, that it shall be the ultimate thing, and all revisions cease afterward: there will be little enough to do, for yours is not the last edition. Direct me when to send you copy & you shall receive it. I shall be very glad to have the scheme you speak of, and have no doubt it will be an improvement on the present amorphous collection & method– I will include “Pauline” as you desire. [2]
I received the note I enclose a day or two ago. [3] The plates, stereotypes, & remainders are all of the other Poems. I answered that there had been no question hitherto of the immediate publication of these, but that I would lay the proposal before you. Should the size correspond with the new edition, they, plates & copies, may be turned to use, I suppose: but you understand best what should be done.
I shall be always able and happy to call on you at any time after two-o’clock, you please to mention: if, by any chance, you prefer looking in here, any earlier hour, (except on Mondays and Thursdays) that will equally suit me,—but above all things, suit yourself, I beg.
And finally whenever you like we will talk over what should be done with the new Poem, [4] —which I can give you in the Spring, and which therefore ought to do the other works good.
Believe me, very truly, dear
Mr Smith, yours ever
Robert Browning.
Publication: Michael Meredith, “Browning and the Prince of Publishers,” Browning Institute Studies, 7 (1979), 9 (in part).
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
2. But see letter 5853, note 4.
3. This “note,” certainly from Frederic Chapman, has not surfaced.
4. The Ring and the Book (4 vols., 1868–69).
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