SD2273. Elizabeth Clementine Kinney to Charles F. Stedman
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 26, 359 (in part).
Villa Giglioni (Big Lilies)
Bello Sguardo Florence
June 11th 1859.
My dearest Charlie:
Your last letter did not please me much, nor comfort me any; so, I have never answered it: especially as my letters do not seem to be very pleasing to you. …
You see by the date above that we are neither at the Baths of Lucca, nor in the city, but on the hill looking over it, which you will recollect as so named from the fine prospect it commands. The breaking out of the war made it inexpedient to go to the Bagni, as we had expected to do, since the Austrians are at Modena, just on those borders: yet, others of our acquaintances have ventured it, because they could not get rid of the horses which they had hired there before the crises was sure. … It is not an elegant villa, but a very convenient & comfortable one, well furnished, tho’ plainly, with the loveliest view that the eye need have for refreshment, & all for $20 per month! … Mr Flash—who is spending the summer at Leghorn on the Ardenza—dined with us the other day when up to Florence on a visit; & I mention it only to surprise you with the charge that has come over Mr K.’s feeling towards this family: now Mr Flash & he are the best of friends! & really there is a great deal of the cultivated gentleman in this man whom he once would hardly let enter his house. … Here too, we have a few congenial friends to sweeten solitude:—Miss Blagden, in a villa near us, (she you met, I think, & known to be an English authoress) who is the intimate friend of the Brownings. Now too, they have returned from Rome, where they have passed the winter, & will be much on the hill with us & Miss B. as they are to pass the summer in the immortal Casa Guidi. There I think Mrs Browning will write a third part to her poem on Italian affairs, now that viva la libertà is again the cry here, & perhaps be compelled, as before, to add still another part if there comes the reaction again. Pray Heaven it may never come!—that poor Italy may prove to be forever liberated from the Despot. We are in the midst of exciting times; but in no danger here. The late victories of the Allies have intoxicated Florence with triumph; but it is dreadful for so many lives to be sacrificed even in a good cause. O the horrors of War!. I never realized them until they came so near. The town is gay enough since the French came here. … I am so tired & weak after having written one of my task-letters for the Daily. It is all about the French Camp here, & Mr K. says one of my very best. It would amuse you, pray send & get a copy of the paper. It’s date is the 11th of June recollect. …
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Columbia University.
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