6046. Jane Wills-Sandford to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 309–311.
till end of June,
Entrée du Parc.
Pau. Basses Pyrenées. France
5. May. 68.
My dear Mr Browning
Do you remember me? I remember you & ‘Pen’ as well as ever, in fact I have never forgotten you—but I never wrote– Why?—because I have been wandering about the world ever since—& very far from strong in any way—& very un-decided & low. so since that Summer of 1866 in Paris when I … did not see you, I have always put off writing—& now I can put off no longer for I think the lease of your London house will soon be up, [1] & that the 2 years Pen was to be at College will soon be ended, & then I may lose sight of you for a long time if I do not call out now.——so here I come saying, please remember me, pray write me a few lines & tell me how you both are in every way—& where you think of living now—& where of spending this coming Summer? What are ‘Pen’s’ favourite pursuits?– What ought I to call him? for I ought not perhaps to call him ‘Pen’——is he strong & well?——& you? How are Miss Barrett & Miss Browning—where does Miss Browning live?
I have not yet (!!) had sufficient decision to settle any where—but each Season I hope that the next will see me settled– —Cannes is still my favourite place– I have been much there since– I do not dread the heat there with the Sea breezes & the very clean atmosphere– I suffer more from the heat of London! or any town—my only doubt is whether the mosquitos would make 3 Summer months unpleasant, either by forcing me away yearly or by making me exclude air too much from my dwelling for I am very fond of Air. Cannes is more breezy & open than most places on the coast of Provence & the ‘Riviera’.
For this next Summer my plans are unformed, but I do not at present intend to go northwards not farther at any rate than Switzerland—if so far. — I find this air dreadfully flat & oppressive.
Shall I never see you again?—some day perhaps?—— I fancy I shall if I settle at Cannes—it is such an enjoyable place for 8 months fully—so lovely.
Now goodbye au revoir write soon pray to
Yrs affectionately
Jane Wills-Sandford. [2]
P.S.
Here is my permanent address (humanly speaking) until .. unless I have a Home– do not omit ‘Jane’ or I might lose––a letter from the loss of a word!
Miss Jane Wills-Sandford–
Care of Manager,
London & Westminster Bank,
St James’s Square,
London– S.W.
Pray take it down among addresses you keep–
And send me some permanent address that would find you if you give up London–
Address: <Robert Browning> [3] Esqr / <Athenæ>um Club. / London.
Publication: BBIS-8, pp. 38–39.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. RB’s lease was for 19 years from 24 June 1862 (see letter 5061, note 1). In letter 5234, he told Alfred Tennyson that he had “taken a house for six years, at least.” Evidently, he had said something similar to Miss Wills-Sandford.
2. Jane Catherine Wills-Sandford (1818–95); see letter 3151, note 7.
3. The upper left-hand corner of the envelope is missing.
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