SD2108. John Forster to Robert Bulwer Lytton
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 24, 266 (in part).
46 Montagu Square W.
16th September 1857
My dearest Robert,
You cannot imagine with what heartfelt delight I received your dear good kind letter. These things are not to be dwelt on after they are past—but until I knew you were in danger, I did not know the Affection I had for you. —— One thing, in your return to convalescence, I must now earnestly impress upon you, my dear Robert. I have before spoken of it, and fear this recurrence to it may not be very welcome to you—but I dread the effect, upon that delicate susceptible frame of yours, of those habits of incessant Smoking. There is no possibility of laying down, in matters of this kind, any rule for universal application. Particular constitutions are strong enough to set the rule at defiance … that you should live in future, in short, with “the grain,” and not against it. .. But I think that if you could get yourself into the course of a pefectly happy existence—happy physically, in a regular life, active habits, daily exercise & so forth—happy also morally … My particular love to the Brownings, to whom I owe a letter. …
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Lord Cobbold.
___________________
