SD1607. Robert Browning, Sr. to Sarianna Browning
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 18, 372–373.
[Paris]
Tuesday 14 Sepr 1852–
My dear Sarianna,
Mr Corkran called & was kind enough to give me your note– I had just returned from a long & not very pleasant walk, to Meudon– Mr Charles Corkran sailed with the 2 Boys on Monday—but as Mr Crowe Junr is going to England in a day or two, & Mr Corkran says he will ask him to convey the mss– I do not wish to have my name connected with it. It will require no correction of the Press—provided they have a Bible in the printing office– Some well educated clergyman might make a very useful & learned work from it– When you come over, will you be so kind as to bring as many of my mss on Genealogy as you can? They would be valuable to me—inasmuch as the English Critics are so superior to the French. I am seldom satisfied with the method Calmet Sacy &c take when they wd clear up a difficulty. I hope you will also bring Baruh’s work—in which he comments upon Kennicotts Book especially the mss– There was one in my desk–
I shall be most heartily glad to see you for I never felt the want of you so much as I have done these 2 last months– I have made a few hasty remarks at the end of my mss which perhaps Robert or yourself, may transfer into a few introductory lines– I must say I shd like a few copies for myself, & with that I shod be very well contented– The great objection to Books on the Genealogies has ever been the size they must be in order to avoid confusion– I am certain I cd reduce it to one more accom[m]odating & yet clearer–
There are so many leaving for England every day that I do not doubt of a speedy conveyance—Miss Haworth, I believe, leaves today (Wednesday) Miss Blackwell’s Sister, the Doctor is in Paris– How does Penini get on with his magic Lanthern? there are some made to shew the Heavenly bodies—& form a very good substitute for an Orrery– Is Penini’s one of these?
I have scrawled a few hasty notes, at the end of my mss– I hope I have made myself thoroughly understood– Clear & Cheap; & I should like to present Penini with a copy– The Publisher no doubt will suggest many alterations & improvements, of which, of course, I remain ignorant—& the object is clearing up difficult discrepancies &c– I wish the notes of Interrogation may be placed in a conspicuous manner—in order to engage the attention of any who may be induced to use it for that purpose–
Thursday) Took a walk yesterday to Longchamps. The place is so altered, you would hardly know it again– The weather is most beautiful & very warm– Give my love to Robert & your Sister—& kiss Penini for me—hope to see you all soon in Paris–
Yrs affectionately
R Browning
Would Robert have the goodness to shew the mss of the Genealogy to the Publisher & ask him what he thinks of it– There are no works on the subject in all Paris & but 3 in England that I can hear of, Speed—Berry—& Burrington—& then these are very scarce—I am employed on a very complete System of Genealogy but I want the above 3 to compare it with–
Address, on integral page: Miss Browning.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.
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