Correspondence

6026.  RB to Ellen Heaton

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 299.

19. Warwick Crescent,

Upper Westbourne Terr:

March 5. ’68.

My dear Miss Heaton,

Let me say for myself, however unnecessarily, how grateful I am for all your kindness—so constant, so various too. I have no objection,—far from it,—to the photographers reproducing your portrait; [1] & only was anxious to reserve your rights. Come soon this way, and let us see as much of you as other—not better—friends can spare. My book, [2] which you enquire about, is still heavy on me, but I shall bear up & be rid of it at the right time.

Affectionately yours ever

RB.

Address: Miss Heaton, / 6. Woodhouse Square, / Leeds.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection.

1. Field Talfourd’s colored-chalk portrait of EBB, commissioned by Miss Heaton and completed at Rome in late February 1859; it is reproduced as the frontispiece to vol. 26. See letter 4324, note 9. Miss Heaton lent the portrait for the 3rd National Portrait Exhibition, which opened on 13 April 1868 at the South Kensington Museum. Photographs reproduced at that time include the exhibition’s entry number (600) on the label.

2. The Ring and the Book (1868–69).

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