SD1774. Mary Russell Mitford to William Cox Bennett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 20, 380 (in part).
[Swallowfield]
Wednesday Sept 13th 1854
My beloved friend—I am really better today—which means that your kind visit did me as much good as beyond all doubt it gave me pleasure. … The morning brought me an exquisite letter from Mr Harness. … It also brought a very affectionate one from Mrs Browning. The laziness of her husband is something to wonder at– She & the poor puny delicate boy who at three years old would not have made half of one girl at 20 months have been kept broiling in Florence all the summer (& you know that nobody stays in Florence during the hot weather) because they had not money enough to move even so far as the Baths of Lucca– Well! he does nothing & nothing will he do—or try—& Mr Horne (a perfectly truthful person) told me that he had frequently offered him work—reviewing—extracting—compiling & such like & he had refused it. I had enquired about Mr Kenyon & I find that he does allow them £100 a year (think of a man accepting that sum in charity when he could earn it)—but that, that £100 included, their income is under £300– Now I know that she had at her marriage £10,000 as legacy from her uncle, so the rest of the interest must either be paid for old debts, or the sum must have been deducted at that time before it was re-settled—either way most discreditable to him. I think you do not now wonder at the little I think of him as a dramatist– Her letter is most affectionate—but there is a great lowering of tone since her marriage. …
Publication: None traced.
Address: W. C. Bennett Esqre / 65 Cheapside / London.
Manuscript: Berkshire Record Office.
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