SD1929. William Henry Darley to Joseph Milsand
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 22, 273–274 (in part).
Paris
Rue du Fg St Honoré 157.
16 May 1856
My dear Milsand
I scrawl a few hasty lines just to say that I have received your letter. Your answer to M. Buloz appears to me exactly what it ought to be, plain, straight-forward, and very severe. He must feel it, tho’ I imagine that the feelings of those who make a commercial affair of literature cannot be very acute. His answer seems to be—further delay of publication. But I am thoroughly puzzled by the whole business—why did he invite you to write for him?– When you did so, why did he not publish? These two questions pursue one another in an eternal rewind through my head, and I can find no manner of explanation for either the one mystery or the other. Of course the rupture is complete between you, and nothing but marked overtures on his part could bring you together again; he does not seem inclined to anything of the kind; his steps tend all another way, according to appearances. But of course the article will finally be published.
With respect to the injustice you have shown to Mr Browning I can say nothing untill I know in what it consists; I don’t laugh, but I doubt. I have met him since at his sister’s, upon two evenings; he was very entertaining upon both occasions, but appeared in a new light, at least new to me. He spoke a good deal each time; indeed he began when he came into the room, and did not stop for an instant untill he went out of it to return home. This seems to be a family feature. None of them appear able to control themselves when in the vein for talking. This I suppose is the reason why Miss B. so often checks her Father when he speaks. But the new light in which Mr Rt B. appeared, arose from the satirical and graphic descriptions he gave of many of the people he had met in Italy; they were however nearly altogether confined to sketches from British sitters. He touched but little on Italians; either he takes little interest in their peculiarities, or perhaps not perceiving them, thinks they have none. At any rate the odds and evens of character among those who speak English as a mother tongue, Americans, Irish, Scotch & real Bulls, seem to have forcibly struck him; and he spared neither ridicule nor censure in his comments upon them. Notwithstanding that he showed great acuteness in all that he said, I do not think him clear sighted as to character, or in a psychological sense. But this is nothing new to you, who have read him through long since. …
Ever sincerely yours
W. H. Darley
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Joseph Milsand Archive.
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