SD2097. Sarianna Browning to Joseph Milsand
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 24, 265 (in part).
60, rue de la Barre, Dieppe.
July 23d [1857] [1]
My dear Mr Milsand,
Many thanks for your domiciliary visit, and still more for your letter. I was afraid that our new concierge was even stupider than the old one, but I trust to the intelligence of the postman for the safety of my letters. The weekly paper, which you directed, arrived daily, but I have had no Athenæum; probably Robert, who must himself be moving, has not sent it. I do not expect to hear from him for some time, as I foolishly intimated that I did not look for a letter till I gave him my new address. We continue delighted with our change of scene,—my father’s vigorous activity of mind and body is something marvellous,—he has picked up an old history of Dieppe, and rushes from cliff to cliff, tracing out ruins of Norman fortifications, subterranean passages, retrenchments, & battle-plains,—then, too, he has plunged headlong into the genealogy of the old Dukes of Normandy, and written pages of their fathers, wives & descendants. On my side, I took a hasty look at the cabinets de lecture, and verily believe they are not yet up to the ‘trois Mousquetaires; they will get it from Paris next season as the last new novel,—but admire this piece of good luck—our salon is furnished with eight hard chairs and a ricketty table, together with a large bookcase—carefully locked. I longed to peep at the forbidden fruit, but of course should never have asked,—happily, I rose so highly in the good graces of my landlady, that on the second day, she brought me the Key, of her own accord, saying that though she never gave it to strangers—yet, I being &c &c it was at my service. <***>
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Joseph Milsand Archive.
1. Year provided by the reference to Dieppe, where Sarianna and RB, Sr. resided at 60, rue de la Barre.
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