SD2112. Robert Bulwer Lytton to John Forster

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 24, 268 (in part).

Florence

Oct 28/57

My very dear Forster,

I have much to blame myself for in suffering so long a time to elapse without telling you how welcome was your letter …

Your affectionate injunctions as to the care of health I have not neglected, & I can report favorably thereupon. Tho’ I have not entirely abandoned smoking I have considerably diminished my use of tobacco. … From all effects of my late illness I am, I think recovered, except in so far as I have not wholly regained as yet my ordinary stock of strength in the legs. Meanwhile however I am getting actually fat, & my digestion is I think better than before. Nevertheless I am still in the Doctor’s hands—an old Enemy from the Army of disease—has returned after a flight of many years—and this somewhat impedes my progress towards absolute health—& is at times very depressing. … I linger at Florence, or rather in the mountains near Florence, to be within reach of my Doctor—& because I have thus the pleasure of seeing often many old friends the Brownings, & Miss Blagden in chief. …

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Lord Cobbold.

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