SD1642. Mary Russell Mitford to Charles Boner

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 19, 365 (in part).

[Swallowfield]

March 20, 1853.

I saw the other day a letter from a stiff English lady, who had been visiting one of the new Empress’s ladies of honour, who told her that her Majesty shot thirteen brace of partridges one morning at St. Cloud, adding—“in spite of that, she is so sweet and charming a creature that any man might fall in love with her.” I like all that I hear of her, but nothing better than the way in which Mrs. Browning sums up her character, “As brave as a lion, and as true as a dog.” …

I heard to-day from Mrs. Browning. She is writing a new poem, and her husband is also busy with a new work. They are still at Florence, but will proceed to Rome and Naples, and arrive here in the summer, I suppose by sea. …

Text: Memoirs and Letters of Charles Boner, ed. R.M. Kettle (London, 1871), I, 249–252.

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