6020. RB to George Murray Smith

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 296–297.

19. Warwick Crescent,

Upper W. Terr. W.

Feb: 20 ’68

My dear Smith,—(if you will kindly let us drop more formal modes of address) I shall be very happy to dine with you on the 26th

What a nice day I have for my run down to Oxford this morning! I expect to find my son indignant at Cambridge and this shirking the Race! [1]

Ever yours truly

Robert Browning.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Eton College Library.

1. Two days before, the University of Cambridge announced that it would not participate in this year’s Oxford and Cambridge boat race, “in consequence of the death of the Hon. J. Gordon,” who had rowed for Cambridge in the 1867 race (see The Times, 19 February 1868, p. 5). However, at a meeting that took place in Cambridge on 20 February, the earlier decision was voted down, and it was resolved that the race would go on as planned (see The Times, 21 February 1868, p. 12).

___________________