SD1644. Frederick Tennyson to Mary Brotherton
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 19, 365 (in part).
[Florence]
April. 9, 1853
My dear Mrs Brotherton,
I am sorry to say that I have not heard of anyone about to start for Rome who would be good enough to charge himself with a load of leaves for you—but as soon as I have got them bound I will book them at the Diligence Office … The Brownings I have but recently become acquainted with– They really are the very best people in the world—and a real treasure to that Hermit a Poet. Browning is a wonderful man with inexhaustible memory, animal spirits and bonhommie– He is always ready with the most apropos anecdote, and the happiest bon mot—and his vast acquaintance with out-of-the-way knowledge and the Quaint Curiosity shops of Literature make him a walking Encyclopedia of marvels. Mrs B. who never goes out—being troubled like other inspired ladies with a chest—is a little unpretending woman yet full of power and what is far better loving kindness and never so happy as when she can get into the thick of mysterious Clairvoyants, Rappists, Ecstatics, and Swedenborgians. Only think of their having lived full five years at Florence with all these virtues in a bushel to me! I mentioned Miss Blagden to them and it appears she once resided here– They gave a very high character of her, and depicted her as a most hearty and disinterested person. The Brownings talk of going to Sorrento for the Summer they cannot do better– … The Brownings talk of visiting Rome on their return from Sorrento and will probably remain there for the Winter. I will give them your address. I
Publication: Tennyson and His Friends, ed. Hallam Tennyson, 1911, p. 42.
Manuscript: Lilly Library.
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