SD2406. William Wetmore Story to William Michael Rossetti

Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 28, 360 (in part).

Florence

28 October 1860

Dear Mr. Rossetti,

Just as I was in the act of enclosing a manuscript paper on the Evil Eye to America for publication …

The Brownings are still in Florence, but they will soon leave for Rome. We are all lingering here to enjoy the delightful weather, rather than from any fear as to the safety of Rome. So long as the French remain there, no possible danger, as it seems to me, is to be apprehended. The retaking of Viterbo and Velletri created here a very unfavourable impression, but the subsequent occupation of Montefiascone and Acquapendente has even a worse aspect. Mrs. Browning says it is only “strategic”—if you know what that means: I don’t. …

I gave your message to Browning: he was very glad to hear from you, and will write soon to you and to Mr. Madox Brown. We were all exceedingly interested by the photographs from Mr. Brown’s and your brother’s pictures.

Text: Ruskin: Rossetti: Preraphaelitism; Papers 1854 to 1862, ed. William Michael Rossetti (London, 1899), pp. 250–252.

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