SD2109. Robert Bulwer Lytton to Edward Bulwer-Lytton

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 24, 266–267 (in part).

Bellosguardo

Oct. 7. 1857

My very very dear Father,

Your three kind letters only reached me yesterday—forwarded from Lucca. …

at present I have a long leave before me—and the most agreable & interesting of all occupations—that of getting well. I am making rapid progress in this respect. I was a long time unable to use my legs at all, & had to be carried about like Uncle Henry; but I am now thank God able to walk a little—& every day adds to the distance & the benefit derived therefrom—as soon as I can take exercise regularly I shall be in very mch. better health than formerly—& really want it, for meanwhile I am getting so fat—that my clothes hardly meet about the waist any longer. I dont think this encrease of stomach a good thing to encourage—& shall take it down by walking as soon as I can. All the bad symptoms wh. I used to have in the morning have also left me, & I rise early, ie 7. am, going to bed at 10.

I am not living in Florence but among the Mountains at Bellosguardo, where the air is most pure & revivifying. Trotman, the Doctor, enjoins on me remain there as long as I can, & shall therefore stay either till the severe cold sets in, or till we both meet elsewhere. I am thinking of Palermo for the Winter.

I cannot look back to my long six weeks of fever without gratefully recalling the constant & motherly care of Miss Blagden, who was in the same Hotel at Lucca, & actually nursed me thro’ out the fever. I doubt if I should have now been alive, but for her. The Brownings also were exceedingly kind & attentive. …

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Lord Cobbold.

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