SD1612. Diary Entry of Henry Crabb Robinson

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 18, 373–374.

[London]

Oct. 6th 1852

With Kenyon I found an interesting person I had never seen—Mrs. Browning, late Miss Barrett. Not the invalid I expected. She is a handsome oval face, a fine eye, and altogether a pleasing person. She had no opportunity of display and apparently no desire. She has not the very amiable appearance of her husband. There is a singular sweetness about him. …

N.B.—I have never read Mrs. Browning’s poems. She addressed me as if she had known me before. I had lent her books though I had never seen her. I hear that she advocates the cause of Louis Napoleon, which, unless in a very qualified way, would be an evidence of wrong-headedness. Yet it is said she considers him as really the people’s choice. This would prove great credulity.

Text: Henry Crabb Robinson on Books and Their Writers, ed. Edith J. Morley (London, 1938), II, 719–720.

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