SD1469.1. Thomas Buchanan Read to Elizabeth Clementine Kinney
Addendum to The Brownings’ Correspondence, vol. 17.
Florence
Feb 12th 1851.
My Dear Mrs Kinney
Your letter was received and most welcome and would have been answered long ago but that I can not use my eyes at night to write, and in the day time I have been to busy endeavoring to get my pictures done that I have had no opportunity. I have to day laid my pallette aside, and sitting in my studio with a canvas on my lap for a table, am endeavoring to meet some of my epistleary debts. I am exceedingly anxious to know what you are a-doing. If you do not come soon to Florence I shall have to come to Turin. I shall be there at least some time this spring when I expect to hear what the alien Blue bird has been singing among the olive boughs of Italy. As for me I have done nothing but paint and nurse my melancholy. I have always on hand the greatest supply of blue with but little demand for it. I have had some pleasanst evenings, however, with two or three poets here—and if you will come I think I can promise you a treat. There is a Mrs Ogilvy and English authoress here who has published two volumes of poetry and who is indeed a delightful person. Then we have here the great Browning! the poet and his wife formerly Miss Barrett! There’s a brace of poets for you, and as you dont see often together on this footstool. And such poets too. But I need not tell you that, you have doubtless read their productions, or at least sufficient to judge of them for yourself. Browning is a charming man,—small—nervous & forty; but as generous and hearty as only true genius is. Heavens! You should hear him talk of the English poets, from Wordsworth down, he knew them all personally—and has promised me letters to Leigh Hunt, Tennyson and others. I want a volume of your poems here to show him that America has somebody beside what-dya-call-her—there? Sigourney! that perpetrator of rhyme, whose chief merit seems to be in having a husband who makes her miserable. It seems to me that she has only to read her verses at him to be revenged. Well—now for Mrs Browning (Miss Barrett that was) she reminds me, for a number of reasons strongly of yourself—(there is one difference however, she is not pretty)—she looks good and is generous,—has been an invalid for a long time her figure is pettite, and her poetry charming—and so on—and so on the likeness continues. How I wish I could make you acquainted.
Stephens of course told you about my pictures. How that I have a fair chance of disposing of four of them to Mr. Pickering and how he, Stephens, bought one. I am getting on as rapidly as possible with my work and think that I shall be through by the middle or last of March. I wish you and Mr Kinney could see these pictures. I shall henceforth eschew portrait painting (unless for my intimate friends) and persue my present line—I have now found my occupation and if my health and eyes hold out, I think I have reason to feel encouraged. I intend putting myself under a course of water cure as soon as I get through with my present engagements. The weather here is cold but clear—delightful—we have had it warm all winter till now. I suppose you saw that Bayard Taylor has been married shortly after he lost his wife—poor fellow– Perhaps he will write better poetry hereafter for the affliction. Do write soon and tell me what you are doing. After reading the enclosed poem, Mr Kinney will have the kindness once more to favor his already doubly obliged friend, me, by forwarding. Give him my best love and believe me your
Very sincere friend
T. B. Read
Ask Mr Kinney to have the goodness to keep an account of what my letters cost him, by so doing he will greatly oblige me.
Address: Mrs E. C. Kinney / care of / Hon. Wm B. Kinney / Turin / Sardinia.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: University of Iowa.
___________________
