SD2063. Recollections of Mary Somerville
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 24, 256–257 (in part).
Florence
[14 April 1857] [1]
While living in Florence … an American friend [Mrs. Kinney] invited me to an evening party to meet an American authoress [Mrs. Stowe] who wished particularly to make my acquaintance. I accordingly went there on the evening in question, and my friends, after receiving me with their accustomed cordiality, presented me to the lady, and placed me beside her to give me an opportunity of conversing with her. I addressed her several times, and made various attempts to enter into conversation, but only received very dry answers in reply. At last she fairly turned her back upon me, and became engrossed with a lady [i.e., EBB] who sat on her other side, upon which I got up and left her and never saw her again. A very different person in every respect was present that evening, as much distinguished by her high mental qualities and poetical genius as by her modesty and simplicity. I allude to our greatest British poetess, Mrs. Browning, who at that time resided in Florence, except when the delicacy of her health obliged her to go to Rome. I think there is no other instance of husband and wife both poets, and both distinquished in their different lines. I can imagine no happier or more fascinating life than theirs; two kindred spirits united in the highest and noblest aspirations.
Text: Personal Recollections … of Mary Somerville, ed., Martha Somerville (London, 1873), pp. 225–226.
1. Date provided by reference to Mrs. Kinney’s reception for Mrs. Stowe during her visit to Florence in April 1857. The event occurred on Tuesday the 14th.
___________________
