SD1525. Sarianna Browning to Ann Wood
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 17, 276 (in part).
New Cross, Hatcham
Nov. 19th [1851] [1]
My dear Friend, [2]
Your letter came while we were from home, and was not forwarded to me, or I should have written sooner. I am very glad that you have changed the air and scene– Cumberland must be very bleak. I trust to hear presently better tidings of your health. Pray believe I have never for one moment ceased my old affection for you—never forgotten you– Do you remember how fond Robert and I used to be of you when we were children? He was talking of you the other day, and telling his wife you were the first person who made him write verses, and were his critic and public. It would be a great delight to me to see you again—perhaps you may come to town in the course of the winter. The books you allude to were of no value except intrinsically,—they were on scientific subjects, and I thought would prove useful to Charles. [3] I heartily wish it were in my power to render him more substantial service, and if ever, in the chances and changes of this world, it should happen that I could be of any use to him, you may depend on my good will.
We have just returned from Paris, where we have been staying three weeks with Robert. We felt very happy at being together: so happy, that we have resolved to comply with Robert’s earnest wish that we should go and reside with him in Paris. Papa does not wish to talk about it in town till it is quite settled, but we all think we should be more happy. Of course, if Papa resigns the Bank, his income would be very limited; yet living is cheaper there than here, and we should have quite enough for our plain tastes. He is now sixty seven,—and though apparently as strong as ever, ought, we think, to retire while he has the power to enjoy himself, and not wait till he is worn out; especially as, if he were to stay a dozen years longer, the Bank would not allow him a bit larger retiring pension. He likes Paris, with its multitude of book-stalls, and doats upon his pretty little grandchild, who would keep him tolerably well occupied from morning to night, drawing soldiers and swans. As for me, I can hardly say how much I should enjoy living with Robert and his sweet wife, instead of continuing this solitary life. So we are all pretty well resolved that, as we must move in March, it is of no use settling down into another house, but better to make one effort, and change altogether. Robert will undertake to find us a comfortable abode in Paris. The communication with England is now so quick and cheap, (getting quicker and cheaper every year,) that we should be much nearer our friends in town, than if we went to reside in the country. So much for our present plans. I shall, of course, let you know as soon as we fix them more determinately. On our return home we found poor James Silverthorne with another of his dreadful attacks of inflammation of the lungs. He is now hanging on a thread between life and death; last night they feared he would not survive till the morning, but this morning he has rallied, and I trust there is still hope.
Let me know Charles’s address at Chertsey, when he goes there. How is Mr Wood? [4] Remember me very kindly to him,—and with our best love to yourself,
believe me ever,
Your most affectionate
Sarianna Browning
I returned home with a very bad cold, and can scarcely see what I write.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. Dated by Sarianna’s reference to her return from visiting the poets in Paris.
2. Ann Wood (née Sturtevant, d. 1852).
3. Charles Sturtevant Wood (b. 10 August 1836).
4. Jonathan Wood.
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