SD2766. Sarianna Browning to Laura Mack Stillman
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 31, 320 (in part).
151, rue de Grenelle Fg St Gn
Paris.
May 20th [1865] [1]
My dear Mrs Stillman,
Only a few days ago I was writing to Miss Church, and told her to bid you not to forget me. The very next day I received your letter which was left here with a card from your friends saying they should not be in Paris till September. I shall be extremely happy to know them, or any friends to whom you are attached.
Many, very many thanks for your nice long letter, and for the photograph of the dear child—both my father and myself are delighted with it—he looks a darling. I can trace the features as I remember them when you passed through Paris—his mark is still on the door, with his height at eighteen months, with the mark of my nephew at different stages of his existence. I give orders they are never to be washed off, or painted over. I should very much like to see your little ones. Kiss them for me. If it please God we may perhaps meet again, though when, He only knows. We are just going for a week or a fortnight to Versailles for a little change, and to get out of the smell of paint and varnish in this house, which has been cleaned and whitewashed. While there I shall try to get over to Chevreuse for the sake of old recollections—how well I remember it—and the day you brought me the letter containing the tidings of my dear sister’s death! Ever since, as you are aware, my brother’s residence has been in London, but he passes two months every autumn with us at the sea-side. Last year we were in the south, at Biarritz; generally we go somewhere in Brittany; as we hope to do this autumn—we are all fond of the Breton coast, and it is not so overrun with visitors. My brother and nephew were with us for a fortnight at Easter, and we miss them now they are gone.
We were rejoicing in the success of the North, and the termination of the war, when the horrible news of the assassination of the President reached us. At first we could hardly believe it—such atrocity seemed impossible—just as he was showing such a spirit of generous conciliation, but unhappily it is too true. I suppose it will not in any way affect the plans of Mr Stillman. Candia sounds like a very interesting place. The society will probably be flitting and occasional rather than settled, but that will be of scarcely any importance compared to the healthiness of the climate. It is so much more easy to travel with children at an early age, when they have nothing to do but to grow and strengthen. Rome has not the reputation of being good for children—they say foreigners never get acclimatized, but are as likely to be attacked by fever at the end of their sojourn as at the beginning.
The exhibition of paintings is now open, here, but it is not so good as usual—there is no picture of great interest or great merit: the sculpture, however, is much better than in former years. The Magees are in Dublin, where the exhibition is attracting many Visitors. Miss Church will have told you the particulars of Mr Milsand’s marriage. My father’s health is wonderfully good—all his faculties, hearing, sight &c are as perfect as ever—just at this moment he is busily writing, without glasses. He lifts up his head to send his affectionate remembrance to you and Mr Stillman and the dear children. You know his passion for babies.
Now my dear Friend, I wil say good bye and may God bless you. Believe in my true affection; that I think often of you, and rejoice in your happiness—that I love your little ones and feel deep interest in them. Give my kind love to Mr Stillman. Ever yours
Most affectionately
Sarianna Browning.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Union College.
1. Year provided by reference to the Brownings’ travel plans.
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