SD2032. William Michael Rossetti to William Bell Scott

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 23, 264–265 (in part).

45 Upper Albany Street,

25 December [1856]

Dear Scott,

Many thanks for the Leaves of Grass, which I have not yet received from Woolner, …

4 January [1857]

Aurora Leigh was sent to Gabriel (as also to Woolner) by Mrs. Browning herself; and both of them are unboundedly enthusiastic about it. I have read as yet something less than 2 books of it, stuffed and loaded with poetic beauty and passionate sympathy and insight. It is certainly better than only a succession of fine things; though, even to take the book from that point of view, it would be quite a wonderful thing of its kind. I confess, however, I stand somewhat taken aback at the prospect of the 14,000 (I think) lines of blank verse, introspection, and humanitarian romance, and I would not venture to name any early day for coming to the end of it, even could I take it up at once for good. Splendid or indifferent, I am satisfied no blank-verse poem ought to be 14,000 lines long. …

The Brownings back in Florence (no doubt): their presence in London most delightful to me and all of our set who know them. …

Publication: Selected Letters of William Michael Rossetti, ed. Roger W. Peattie (University Park, Penn., 1990), pp. 72–75.

Manuscript: Princeton University.

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