SD2275.5. Robert Barrett Browning to Sophia Eckley

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 26, 228.

[Florence]

[ca. 23 July 1859]

My dearest Aunt Sophy

I hope you will forgive me for not having written to you after my promise.

I am so very sorry papa and mama wont go to you, and go to Siena. How is dear Dody? I long to play with him on the mountains, and ride on donkeys or on horses.

Mama today is not atall well. She coughs very much, and has taken some medecine, and she cant hear me any lessons. It is very hot and I dont know what to do with my self—it is so hard but I cant go out until evening– I think that mama caught cold on the terrace at miss Blagden, and we had not atall a nice time because we came away at eleven with the carriage,—and when we came to the gate of iron which was open, the stupid coachman drove the back wheel against it, and instead of one coming off both came off, and we went back-wards. Luckily I was sitting between them,—for if I had not, I would have broken my nose.

We are all very unhappy except me, about the war, for we cant get any news for the telegraph wires have been broken off by the wicked bad goodfornothing codinis who love the nasty Grandduke!—they say that he is coming to Florence,—but I am sure they wont have him, and I think it would be better if he were not to come because the people say that they will kill him– They have sent to Vittorio Emanuelle to ask him to come here and they are getting the pitti ready incase he would come. I dont believe that Napoleon has been so bad as to do what they say that he has done I dont believe it as I have told you. I hope you will be so kind as to give my best love to dear Mister Eckly—so I think I must end my letter.

your most dearest and affectionate nephew

Penini

P.S. will you be so kind as to remember me to miss Tuckerman and write a long letter to me.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Berg Collection.

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