Supporting Documents

SD2176.  Diary Entry of Sophia Hawthorne

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 25, 356 (in part).

Florence

Tuesday [22 June 1858]

I went to meet Mr Browning and the Improvisatrice Giovanina [sic, for Giannina] Milli, at Miss Howorth’s [sic, for Haworth’s]. Mr Browning and Pennini were there, but no Improvisatrice. Miss Howorth almost cried with chagrin because Mr Hawthorne could not go on account of a severe cold with fever. An English Waterloo Major Gregorie was there, and a Mr Trollope, and Miss Blagden and Miss Elliott, a literary elderly lady, horrent with plumes, who was very clever, and talked well about Mr Hawthorne’s books. All were English. Dear little Pennini played to us some of his Sonatas sweetly. He has only played fourteen months. I had a charming talk with Mr Browning, who is perfectly delightful. He is as mobile as a bird, all life and earnestness, with the face of Robert Browning. …

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Berg Collection.

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