753. RB to William Charles Macready

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 268–269.

[London]

Thursday [April/May 1840] [1]

My dear Macready,

What you say puts fresh heart into me– I am sure you will like this last labour of mine, and mean therefore to spend a day or two in making a fair copy of it, the M.S. I should have read being a portentous scribble. [2] Most likely you will receive it on Saturday Night.

Ever yours most faithfully,

R Browning.

My best regards to Mrs & Miss Macready—shall I not see them at the Lecture next week? [3]

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: University of Kentucky.

1. Dated by the reference to “the Lecture.”

2. RB refers to his work-in-progress, The Return of the Druses.

3. Carlyle’s Lectures on “Heroes and Hero-Worship” were given on 5, 8, 12, 15, 19 and 22 May. RB’s reference to “next week” means that the letter could have been written on 30 April, 7 May or 14 May.

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