SD1274. Anna Brownell Jameson to Lady Noel Byron
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 14, 362 (in part).
Paris
Sep 24 [1846]
How is it that my letters are so long reaching you? yours of the 22d, Lady Annabella’s Birthday, reached me today—it is a great relief[.] I wrote to you the 18—the 21 & 23—this being my 4th– I have now decided on travelling Southwards– …
This charming fugitive pair of whom I told you, are a great interest & a great care—she is in a most feeble state—but better certainly today than I have ever yet seen her– I really believe I have saved her life by persuading her to rest– RB came down this morning to settle about our movements—& I shall go down the Rhone with them—the rest is uncertain—as to the step they have taken, I see that the sympathy & approval of all her relations is secure, except that of her father—& with him, the disapprobation—without deigning to give a reason—seems like a madness. The deportment of both is perfect, but how the experiment is to end I know not– I have not faith in the poetical temperament as a means of permanent happiness tho, it may heighten the relish of sentiment—in short, I fear—even now I see what makes me fear, but I hope also—both are so good! …
Our road is thus arranged—28th to Chartres & Orleans—30 to Bourges—Oct 1 to Roanne & St Vallier—Oct 2 embark on the Rhone for Avignon about the 4 leave Marseilles for Leghorn—about the 6th Pisa—it will be safest to direct letters poste Restante Pisa Mad. Anna Jameson——it will be a long time before I shall have news of you dear friend—after the next letter for I hope to have one more at Paris—& Charlotte will forward all that arrive for me subsequently– There will be delays on the road perhaps—for E.B. can not travel fast—& we may make alterations. …
Address, on integral page: The / Lady Noel Byron / Esher / Surrey / England.
Publication: The New Colophon, 1950, pp. 113–114.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
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