Supporting Documents

SD1411.  Mary Russell Mitford to William Cox Bennett

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 16, 290 (in part).

Three Mile Cross

4 April 1850

I thank you a thousand times my dear Mr. Bennett for your most kind attention in sending me The Parlour Library. …

I have great fear always of Mrs. Browning’s corrections– In her last vols. she spent two days in spoiling The House of Clouds—literally spoiling it– When first written in the Athenæum it was a perfect gem—and she lengthened it into weakness, and lopped off superfluous syllables until she ruined the rhythm—she has fine genius—but little taste and no ear at all—and her husband having the same deficiencies, and both of them living where English is not spoken. I tremble for her doings—especially as she has been two years about the matter– Her best things are done at a heat. …

Publication: None traced.

Source: Typescript at Berkshire Record Office.

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