SD2378. Sarianna Browning to Joseph Milsand
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 27, 351 (in part).
151, rue de Grenelle. St Gern
May 11th [1860]
My dear Mr Milsand,
You are very indulgent to my poor letters– No one feels more painfully than I do their stupidity, and if I were to think much about the matter I should never find courage to send them; but on the other hand, my common sense tells me that you do not read my letters for the sake of any thing clever or wise which you might easily meet elsewhere, but for the affection which dictates them, which you will not so readily meet every where. Therefore I scribble on as freely as I gossip with you, knowing that you will not judge me severely–
You are right in thinking that I have heard from our Italians, who are all in good health. Up to the time they wrote, the weather had been cold and wet, and they intend staying in Rome till the end of the month. Of course it is Robert who sends me the news of his wife’s poems. A letter had arrived from a New York editor of a weekly paper, saying that he had been allowed to print one of the poems, (the Court Lady) a few days in advance of the publication in America,—that the success was so great (he had circulated a quarter of a million copies) and the admiration so complete, that he offered her £20 for the first loan of any little poem she might be intending to publish elsewhere,—he guaranteeing to keep her the copyright: he also made the same offer to Robert. Still, in England the book has been fiercely attacked, political animosity prevailing. I believe I did injustice to Mr Chorley in thinking his mistake an intentional one, for others, with more goodwill, fell into the same error; the Atlas for instance– Yet it seems so very clear! I should never have imputed the mean motive of private revenge to Mr Chorley, if he had not himself avowed it in his letter to Miss Cushman,—still the misrepresentation was perhaps owing to his extreme haste,—the poems had only been published two days, I believe. He seems very penitent, poor man, and wrote to express the pain he felt on the occasion, and I daresay he will easily obtain his pardon,—he is a disappointed, bitter man, and she had wounded him in a sore place. We are all a set of poor creatures, I’m afraid,—the best and worst of us alike.
Robert had been buying some little tortoises for old acquaintance sake, and drew me the dimensions of one—scarcely as large as a five franc piece. Ba tells me Garibaldi has broken his sword and sent it to the King– Robert had had a letter from Annette Bracken who has some thoughts of spending the summer in Switzerland with her uncle: she is better, rides a great deal on horseback, I hear. Don’t let me omit that Robert sends his truest love to you, and says he has not forgotten the autographs for your brother, but when he goes to England will give him all that he has worth keeping.
Last Saturday evening’s gathering consisted of Archer Gurney, Mrs Bracken and her mother and sister (Mrs & Miss Smith) Miss Blackwell, Willy and Daniel. The Corkrans went to Madme O’Connell’s, who receives the <***>
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Joseph Milsand Archive.
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