850. RB to William Charles Macready

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 5, 124.

New Cross, Hatcham, Surrey

Monday Sept 6. [1841] [1]

Dear Macready,

Have you found time to look over the Play I left with you? [2] This Autumn weather produces the old rubbing of eyes and unfolding of arms in me—a wake-up bodily and spiritual. I shall be glad to hear from you—and, par parenthèse, that your family is as I hope—au mieux [3] –

Ever yours,

R Browning.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Scripps College.

1. During RB’s residence at New Cross, 1841 was the only year in which 6 September fell on a Monday.

2. This must have been the manuscript of A Blot in the ’Scutcheon. After Macready and Forster had read the play, they were doubtful of its suitability for the stage and the manuscript was sent to Dickens for a third opinion. He did not return it with his comments (“full of genius … simple and beautiful in its vigour”) until November 1842. Macready then promised RB that he would mount the play, but his handling of it gave offense to RB and caused a breach of their friendship. For a more detailed account of these events, see DeVane, pp. 137–141 and Orr, pp. 109–118.

3. ”At best.”

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