SD2170. Diary Entry of Sophia Hawthorne
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 354 (in part).
Florence
Thursday 10th [June 1858]
After breakfast this morning I went to the Pitti Palace with my husband …
At 1 o’clk I took Una and Rosebud, according to appointment, and went to Casa Guidi to show them Mrs Browning. She does not see people till eight in the evening, but wished me to take Una and Rose. We rang a great while and no one answered the bell, but presently a woman came up the staircase and admitted us. She was surprised that we expected to see Mrs Browning, but upon telling her of my credentials, she invited us to follow her. We found the wondrous lady in the drawing room. She was very pale and looked ill, but received us affectionately and was exceedingly interesting. She took Rosebud in her lap and seemed to enjoy talking to and looking at her as well as at Una. She said ‘oh how rich and happy you are to have two daughters, a son and such a husband!’ Pennini was gone to his music master, which I was sorry for, but we saw her pictures of him. Mrs Browning said he had a vocation for music, but did not like to apply to any thing else, any more than a butterfly—and the only way she could get his attention was to have him upon her knees, and hold his hands and his feet. He is nine years old—and knows German pretty well and Italian perfectly, being born a Florentine. Mr Browning was not at home. I was afraid to stay long or to have Mrs Browning talk to me because she looked so pale and seemed so much exhausted, and I perceived that the motion of baby’s fan distressed her. I do not understand how she can live long or be at all restored while she does live. …
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Berg Collection.
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