SD2165. Diary Entry of Nathaniel Hawthorne
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 349–350.
Florence,
June 8th, Tuesday [1858]
I went this morning to the Uffizzi Gallery. The entrance is from the great court of the palace, which …
As we were at dinner to-day (we dine at half-past-three) there came a ring at the door, and a minute after, our servant brought in a card; it was Mr. Robert Browning’s, and on it was written, in pencil, an invitation for us to go to their house, this evening. He had left the card and gone away; but very soon, the bell rang again, and he had come back, having forgotten to give his address. This time, we made him come in; and he shook hands with all of us, children and grown people, and was very vivacious and agreeable. He looked younger and handsomer than when I saw him in London, two years ago, and his gray hairs seemed fewer than those that had then strayed into his youthful head. He contrived to talk a wonderful quantity in a little time, and told us—among other things that we should never have dreamed of—that Italian people will not cheat you if you construe them generously, and put them upon their honor. Mr Browning was very kind and warm in his expressions of pleasure at seeing us; and, on our part, we were all very glad to meet him. He must be an exceedingly likeable man; but I somewhat question whether an intimate acquaintance with him would flow on quite smoothly and equably enough to be sure of lasting a great while. They are to leave Florence very soon, and are going to Normandy, I think he said, for the rest of the summer.
Publication: Hawthorne, 14, 293–299.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
___________________
