SD2013. Anna Eliot Ticknor to Ellen Twisleton

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 23, 260–261 (in part).

Rome

Dec. 13. ’56

We think of you a great deal Dearest Ellen, & have talked of you with Charles Norton, with great interest, delighting to hear & to speak your praises, & feeling how much you have given up, & perhaps I may say, suffered. …

We have seen Miss Hosmer too last week & to my surprise she is pleasing, & her designs poetical. … She has made a statue of the Cenci asleep, which seems to me remarkable, as Mrs Browning says, for a woman, which she says she shall exhibit next year in London.

I have been much excited the two last days by that poem of Mrs B.—but cannot quite analyse the reason,—there are most stirring passages & startling translations of inner feelings, but it is too long, & there are many unnecessary failures in taste. I have only read the three first books, & I confess I am not qualified to speak of it. I should like to know what you think of it Dear Ellen,—I wish I could walk into your cozy little back drawing room put my feet on the fender, & learn all about you, & Mr Twisleton,—see how you look & know what interests, pleases, & displeases you. …

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Harvard University.

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