SD1845. Sarianna Browning to Robert Browning, Sr.
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 21, 379–380 (in part).
[London]
Monday Mg [6 August 1855] [1]
Thank you, dear Papa, for your letter. I am always happy to hear from you as often as possible. I am glad you sent the account, the charges seem moderate, which is what I wished to ascertain. Did you pay the seat in chapel yesterday, and are you able to go twice on Sunday? I hope you are particular about your personal appearance– I have a misgiving about your hair, now I am not there to brush it.
We are very busy,—the printers are hard at work on Robert’s book, Yesterday, Ba was quite exhausted, scarcely able to keep from fainting, and could not go to chapel which she particularly wished to do because it was sacrament Sunday: however, she did not get much repose by staying at home, as I counted fourteen visitors in the course of the afternoon, each of whom would consider themselves aggrieved if she did not make some effort to converse. Dear Arabel gets in such a rage about it. I was very glad indeed to see Joseph Arnould who called yesterday: he is on circuit, but came up to town for a day. He grows quite stout; is in hopes of being made one of the Assistant Judges in the County Court; he already acts as Deputy Judge in the place of a sick friend, which he hopes is an implied promise on the part of Government to give him the next vacancy. He is going to run over to Paris for a week, just to see the Exposition, but will wait till we get back. Try to ascertain how long it will be open. People are going out of town, and Robert & Ba have heaps of invitations to country seats, all of which they decline, among others one from Sir Edward Lytton to Knebworth. To-morrow we go to another party, at the Procters’— to-night, some people are coming here– Ba is better this morning. Penini is a sweet little pet,—yesterday morning, for the first time, he went to church: they don’t allow him to go, thinking him too young,—but he begged me so earnestly to take him, (I suppose because it was forbidden) that he softened my heart, and I offered to go with him, he promising to be very quiet—he really was extremely good, and told his mamma when he came back that he had been “trying to sink of God the whole time.” He is making a collection of his drawings to show you when he returns. There is in this week’s Athenæum the most extraordinary critique I ever read in my life on Tennyson’s new poem,—for entire misapprehension of the subject, it surpasses every thing. Mr Fox showed it to us first, roaring with laughter. But I forgot you know nothing of Tennyson. Ask Mr Milsand if he has seen it. Remember us all most kindly to him. I will write to Mrs Corkran in a day or two,—our letters crossed on the road. Robert, Ba, Penini & I, send our best love.
I wrote thus far yesterday morning, but people came in, and I was prevented from sending it. Ba was so unwell in the evening, that she went to bed, leaving me to receive her visitors. To-day she is better. The weather is unsettled, with a good deal of rain. Robert attacks me for it,—says it all comes as a punishment for my love of England,—that I am expiating my fault. At all events, the climate agrees with me, for I am perfectly well. Tell Made Louis to look out for an unfurnished apartment for me– They will be more plentiful in the month of Oct. than at present. Reuben will be back this week, so you can give the order to him, as usual.
Pray beware of getting into crowds when the Queen arrives. I hear that the Emperor & Empress made themselves so extremely agreeable at Windsor in the nursery, that at their departure, all the royal children cried and roared in the most terrific manner. Good bye—write soon– Take care of yourself–
Ever your affectionate,
Sarianna.
Tuesday.
Address: Monsieur Browning, / 6, rue de la Comete, / rue St Dominique / Paris.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. This letter is postmarked 7 August 1855, a Tuesday.
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