SD1245. John Kenyon to Anna Brownell Jameson
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 12, 370 (in part).
40. York Terrace
Feby: 13: 1846
Dear Mrs Jameson
I write, again, to say how glad I and others will be to see you on the 25th—but more to request that you will convey my acknowledgments to Lady Monson for her very obliging thought– It would not be easy to resist such an opportunity of doubled enjoyment, were I at all able to quit London at present.
I hope that it was something better than an invitation to dine two days on turtle which took me down to Brighton a fortnight since. It rained and stormed so furiously all the time I was there that I was fairly driven away, but I know what suns you have there–
I have just recd a note from Anne T. who within half an hour will have introduced herself to EB.B. I am to see her this Evg at Mrs Chadwicks and shall previously call on EB.B. to hear her praise, as I hope, my young friend.
EB.B. recd two or three days ago what is really a delightful letter from H. Martineau– So full of her enjoyment of the country—full of her plans for the future—and of talk about Wordsworth—discriminating talk—but I see she |wants| very little encouragement to become an enthusiast about him—personally as well as poetically—Sweet pliability of Man’s (Woman’s) spirits as Sterne somewhere says–
Your friends the Harnesses—Bootis—Chattertons—dined here yesterday. Panozzi was unwell & could not come– I have claimed that he shall compensate me on the 25th
Eagles has been for some time very ill—both bodily and locally—in his eyes– He is recovering– Did you know Mr King the Surgeon of Clifton now very aged[?] I hear today from Dr Ashburner that he has just had a severe paralytic stroke.
EB.B. continues to be what we call—Well– Browning has perhaps you know been printing another Bells & Pomegranates—which he has inscribed to me, his fathers early School-fellow– Under these circumstances I hardly dare praise them as I feel they ought to be praised– They have less than usual of his fault of obscurity—more than his usual Merits—and that is saying a great deal—full of poetical and dramatic power—and of thoughts and suggestions– But you know he is a Poet only for poets & thinkers– I rejoice in them– The news from Ghent—to begin with and almost all thro’—to Saul, which I think a glorious lyric– So fresh–! Homer’s shield—all the phrases—and deeds—the simplicities and heroisms of human life—suggested as Music might suggest them—by touches—not descriptions—a lyrical shield of Achilles.
Have you seen Landor’s beautiful rhymeless Sonnet—to him–
I send it you on the opposite page Browning has made me scribble on to tire you and myself– I think I shall have written thirty notes & Letters this morning– Oh the strenuous idleness of this London life–
But I will surrender you to Landor
JK
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
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