SD1284. Anna Brownell Jameson to Charlotte Murphy
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 14, 364–365 (in part).
Hotel du Europe, Avignon
October 7th [1846]
My dear Charlotte,–
I begin a scribble to you from hence to be finished when we have settled our future which is yet undecided. Our journey has been very tedious, very anxious, yet all things considered I would not but have made it for the world. Our poor invalid has suffered greatly, often fainting and often so tired that we have been obliged to remain a whole day to rest at some wretched place; to complete the tedium of our progress we had incessant rain down the Rhone from Lyons to Avignon, one perpetual deluge—so that we were reduced to a hot crowded cabin on board a daily Steamboat. This was the climax; but in spite of all, the journey has been a happy one and I can never repent it. Nothing could have been better for Gerardine; if it had been arranged on purpose as a perpetual lesson, it could not have been more effectual and she has been really very good and very efficient, considering.
You remember the description of Avignon in Dickens’ Book? I forget it, but can tell you from myself that it is delightful. We spent the day in looking over the old palace of the Popes; poor E.B. obliged to spend the hours on her bed, but sympathising with us and full of sweetness and goodhumour, anxious that we should see everything and satisfied to hear that her husband had been amused with all he saw. She is really charming. Gerardine is going to write a full and particular account of our progress, to her mother—so you will see all we have done and what we are to do I will tell you to-morrow–
Thursday 9th– We went yesterday to the far-famed fountain of Vaucluse, about 18 miles from the city; a pleasant day on the whole and E.B. got through it very well. Gerardine was in a state of enchantment, the dear child is certainly very good and very happy and very well. …
It is decided that we leave Avignon to-morrow to catch the French steamer which goes from Marseilles next day (the 11th) and on Monday morning about noon we hope to be in Pisa, where I hope to have letters. …
We are in the South here, olive trees, figs, vines, at every step; the silk harvest going on, groves of mulberries, everything unlike the north of France. I shall not write home till I have been two days at Pisa, and live in the hopes of finding some tidings there. … And so dearest, God bless you, do not forget how much of my tranquility and efficiency will depend on hearing often from home.
Your affect.
Anna
Text: Anna Jameson: Letters and Friendships, ed. Mrs. Steuart Erskine (London, 1915), pp. 233–235.
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