586. RB to William Alexander Dow
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 3, 280–281.
Camberwell,
Aug. 20. 1837.
My dear Dow,
Many thanks for your letter & the grouse—which reached me two days ago: famous birds and quite fresh they were—but the letter hardly as unexceptionable, being somewhat of the shortest and deficient moreover in what I most wanted to learn—an account of yourself and your present health; for in spite of your fishing & fowling exploits I happen to know you have been very unwell. Make amends by a full true and particular statement next time, and do your utmost towards inducing me to post after you to Blind Burn (do you spell it so?) [1] by regaining with all expedition your “jolly thriving” state among the rocks & hills you talk of. The weather is surely hot enough? How do your dogs turn out? Talking of dogs and thinking of snappishness,—be assured that if our peppery friend and myself only quarrel when I broach the ungracious subject of players or plays we shall remain sociable till doomsday, so sick am I of it: I must tell you, however; that last week I received a note from Mrs Adams desiring me to ask Webster [2] for an introduction to Miss Desborough of the Richmond Thtre. I applied for one and obtained it. “If she succeeds” says Forster “Macready will no doubt be glad to engage her.”– I dare say. She was to see Miss D. the other day, and I wish her success from my soul. I hear nothing about Covent G. F[orster]– being dumb, and I, little inquisitive. All the Macreadys are at Elstree. I delivered that “message” by proxy, as you probably were informed: it was meant to be amiable, I can tell you. I called at Nelson Sq [3] two mornings since—(four I should say): Mrs Dow and Miss Andrew were in flourishing health. My mother & Sister have seen them likewise and report as favorably.
I am working well enough at Sordello, never fear: I shall soon get the better of the monster, and .. but to anticipate is unluck<y.> The August number of the Repository con<tains> the “Christopher Marlowe” I spoke of [4] <…> two grand capabilities of the subject <…> (moral,—that is, the man’s character, <…> belief in God and complete faith
<…> [5]
My Father, Mother, and Sister bore me to send their best regards to you.
Address, on integral page: W. A. Dow Esq, / Harbottle Castle, / near Wittingham, / Northumberland.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: University of Kansas.
1. Blindburn, Northumberland, 6 m. N.W. of Alwinton.
2. Benjamin Nottingham Webster (1797–1882), actor and dramatist, was the lessee of the Haymarket Theatre.
3. Dow’s London residence was at 13 Nelson Square, Southwark.
4. A one-act tragedy, “The Death of Marlowe,” by R.H. Horne, printed in The Monthly Repository (August 1837, pp. 128–140).
5. Bottom part of page is torn away.
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