Diary of Daniel Sargent Curtis

Mr Browning & his sister dined with us. There was also Mrs. Bronson just returnd from Asolo. Miss Leigh-Smith & Miss Blythe old friends of the Brownings and three of us. We dined in the long room hung with silk damask and ceiling painted with exploit of the Barbaro cutting off the Turk’s arm,...

From Casa Vendramin, Giudecca, saw with spy-glass the German fleet arrive at Malamocco firing salutes, after wh. the Yacht Hohenzollern, with Emperor & Empress & Suite, sailed for Venice escorted by 8 vaporetti. Came noon and with Mrs. Curtis & R.B. reached the Bacino just as the masts and...

Lovely weather. Called at ¼ 3 for Mr Browning, who said he wished to search at S. Niccolo del Lido, for the tomb of Salinguerra de Ferrara, which he has sought to find since more than fifty years, when he began to write Sordello. But, in the Austrian time he was not allowed to visit the Church...

At 3, to P. Rezzonico for Mr Browning, superb weather. As we went to Lido the Impr Yacht Hohenzollern got under way and steamed past us on her long circuit home. The movement of waves suggested oil & I sd to RB. a chance for Hudibrastic rhyme of turmoil and sperm-oil. He sd ‘I have it,[’]...

At 3 PM Mr Browning waiting on steps of Rezo, ready for Lido. To S. Elisabetta on foot to Quattro Fontane, by the beach. Asked him what he did when ideas occurred to him in the night. They never occur to me but at my desk at my appointed hours to write, rather like A. Trollope’s plan. The rest...

Today we changed from PM to AM & at 10.30 to Lido. Exquisite day of warm sun—the sea beautiful—walked far on sands, got home at 1.15. Browning very interesting. Talked of Russell’s Life of Moore—attacked furiously by Croker—‘Lockhart told me if they thought because Croker was old he...

Went at 10.30 to Lido with Mr Browning– A perfect day of genial beauty. Long walk on sands. Never meet any of our many acquaintance in Venice. Mr B. talked of Mrs Kemble & Butler—of Mrs S. G. Howe, of A. Scheffer, of the Barrets & Kenyon—of the Chryselephantine statue of Duc de Luynes....

To Lido at 10.30. Mr Browning began with Cumberland—whose autobiog. I lent to him—who was born in the room at Trin. Coll. Master’s House in wh. RB lately slept. Mrs Butler (Miss Ramsay) 1st Senior Classic—all others in 2d & 3d class. Younger than her husband’s son– Editing Herodotus...

To Lido at 10.30—with Mr & Miss Browning who has been kept at home by sittg for her portrait to her nephew[.] Mr B. occupied by question of what poems, and how many he should read this P.M. Left cards for Mr & Mrs Joseph Chamberlain, just arrd en route for Egypt.– Wondered people cared to be...

Cannon & flags for Queen’s Birthday– At 10.30 with Mr & Miss Browning to Lido. Again asked me to call him Browning ‘tout court’–[1] Said as before ‘I should not mind doing so, as he bid, but should not like other people, hear it, to suppose it to be want of respect on my part–

To Lido 10.30 Mr & Miss Browning– Passed Russian war-ship with the Czaréwitch[.] Talked of Cumberland’s Life wh. Browning likes very much. Finds C. born in rooms at Trinity Lodge in wh. RB lately slept.

To Lido at 10.30—& Mr & Miss Browning to the Fort, half-way to Malamocco. In PM met the B’s at Mrs. Bronson’s, & took them in my gondola to P. Rezzonico[.] The King & Q. of Denmark arrd at Danieli’s, and the Chamberlain party sailed for Alexandria.

Too thick a fog for Lido.

To Lido, Mr. Browning, Mrs. Curtis & I, at 10.30. He said he used to meet Alfred Austin at a riding-school—where also was a lady who rode, and whom Austin admired. She showed Browning a letter from Austin, who was persuaded that B. had prejudiced her against him. He afterwards married a much...

Met Mr Browning at an eveg party at Sir A. H. Layard’s. Question of correctness of ‘La Mura’ used in the dedication of ‘Asolando.’ Prof Castelnuovo says it is quite incorrect.

ll this week Mr Browning ailing, and did not go to Lido. He however dined out, and went to the Opera—tho’ had taken blue pill, and reduced diet & no wine. On Saty 30th he had a sharp attack of asthma and bronchitis, and Dr Cini sent for. I was there on Sunday P.M. His son said he was weak...

Mr Browning better; and so continued, improving as to bronchitis and breathing, but without strength, uneasy and at times wandering in mind, but when asleep only.

His son wrote to me, that Dr. Vigna had been called in consultation with Dr Cini, as Mr Browning suffered from “muscular weakness of the bladder—no disease, no pain, but weakness, wh. makes us anxious on account of his years.”

Went to Palo Rezzonico to see Barrett Browning. Said his father was very weak—and heart-action weak– He had wished to get up and walk about, also wished to read– Neither allowed. Said to his son, ‘I shall not get over this.’

Wedy– Went to Pal. Rezzonico. Mrs RBB sent out a few lines– The English servant said they were all up all night, expecting the worst!– Dr Minick called in. Pulse yesty 160—last eveg 130—& 120– Mr B. talked constantly—supposed himself among crowd of people.

This morning, Ferdinando saw RBB—who said the Doctors give up hope! 6 P.M. My son just returned from Palo Rezzonico. Mr Browning apparently much better—and said to his son, “I feel a great deal better and should like to get up & dress and walk about—but I know I am too weak.” He was...

I got a line early from Mrs. R.B.B. askg me to come to them this morning, and went at 10 o’clock & found Mr. & Mrs. B. in breakfast room on 2d piano, én suite with Mrs. B’s bedroom in which Mr R. Browning was ill, and where he died at 10 o’clock last night. Both were exhausted with want...

To Lido—same walk so lately taken with Mr Browning—his very footsteps not yet effaced on the sands– Telegram & letter from Villari at Florence that it wd be ‘impossible’ to have Browning buried beside his wife. The Dean of Westminster telegraphed to RBB to know hour of funeral, that a...

Sunday 5.30 P.M. We have just returned in the dusk from S. Michele. The service by Rev. Mr Jameson at 2.30. The coffin in middle of the hall covd with a purple pall, very handsome, and flowers & wreaths around it. The wreath made by Mrs Curtis, of the bays from our garden, was placed on the...

RBB got telegram from Master of Balliol Jowett, asking if the remains of Mrs. Browning could not be removed to Westminster Abbey.– But he has not recd a telegram wh. the Times said the Queen had sent. All arrangements are made for the departure of the remains of Mr. Browning tomorrow...