SD2374. Sarianna Browning to William Allingham
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 27, 349–350 (in part).
151, rue de Grenelle St Gern
Paris.
Ap. 19th /60
My dear Mr Allingham,
I have so little news to tell, either of myself or others, that I will not miss the only grace to which I can aspire, promptness of reply. You must have had an enviable holiday last year, though the lateness of the season was against you; but there are some places that must be enjoyable in all weathers—Weimar for one. I saw that it had inspired you with song, through the Athenæum, and let me thank you much for the beautiful verses you sent me– I read them to a critical friend who was much struck by them.
I had letters from our Florentines a day or two ago. My sister’s health is improving, a few fine warm Easter days having revived her, but still she is far below her average strength. Robert’s [sic] fears that any journey north this summer, would be absolutely impossible; she can bear no fatigue or excitement, and they purpose remaining two months longer in Rome, then returning to Florence to look a little after household matters, (Robert’s man of business there, a banker whom he valued, being dead,) taking refuge when driven out by the heat, in the nearest cool place, and probably again wintering in Rome; after which, if God grant life and strength, a long visit to Paris and England. My brother & the child were quite well, though the latter had had one day’s illness, a sun stroke,—caused by getting off his poney, in the campagna, to gather flowers for his mother: happily, it passed away with a little fever, but the Roman sun is very dangerous. I am provoked to say that I have not yet read “Poems before Congress”—a friend undertook to forward our Paris copies immediately, and they are slumbering peaceably in his desk, to my great exasperation– Before publishing the book the writer was aware of the storm it would raise, and determined to brave the howling of the tempest– I am wicked enough to suspect she rather enjoys it. As the review in the Athenæum was avowedly a private vengeance, I suppose the blunder to which you refer was made on purpose. The “curse” was originally published in America by the Anti-Slavery Society, at whose request it was written, and no one could be so densely stupid as to apply it to England.
Will this long, long winter ever come to a close? There is scarcely a leaf on the trees and this morning snow fell for a few minutes; the sun shines brightly, but is overcome by a fierce north-east wind that cuts down all before it. The protracted drought of last year has helped to injure vegetation—the potatoes especially–
My father is in excellent health, and desires his kind remembrances– If you visit Paris this summer, do not forget us.
Very truly yours,
Sarianna Browning.
Publication: Letters to William Allingham, ed. H. Allingham and E. Baumer Williams (London, 1911), pp. 112–113.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
___________________
