SD2484. Lydia Maria Child to Theodore Tilton
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 29, 298–299 (in part).
Wayland,
July 21st 1861.
… I have no personal knowledge of Mrs. Browning, for I have never been abroad. In the grandeur of her intellect, the nobleness of her aspirations, and the generous outflow of her sympathies, I think she is unsurpassed among women. Aurora Leigh is a great book; intellectually very great, morally still greater. It kindled in me a glowing enthusiasm while I read it. Still, I will confess to you that my favorite author, par excellence, is Mrs. Stowe. I have a more lively pleasure in her works, than I have in those of any other writer, man or woman.
When Aurora Leigh appeared, it was generally voted to be Mrs. Browning’s best production; and some said, “Her soul has expanded and improved under the influence of Mr. Browning.” I never assented to such remarks, because all her writings, from the beginning, seemed to me to indicate that hers was the superior soul. Harriet Hosmer, who has been intimately acquainted with Mrs. Browning, during her long residence in Italy, told me a fact, which shows that Mr. Browning’s influence had no share in the excellence of Aurora Leigh. She said Mrs. Browning told her she was surprised at the success of the book; that she had written nearly the whole of it seven years before, but had felt so very doubtful whether it were worthy of publication, that she had laid it aside, with the idea that she should never publish it. If I mistake not, she was unacquainted with Mr. Browning at the time she says Aurora Leigh was mostly written; at all events, she was not married to him,—till some time after.
Mrs. Frank G. Shaw of Staten Island, with whom I believe you are acquainted, was intimate with Mrs. Browning in Italy. Perhaps she could tell you something interesting about her. If you wish to make use of anything in this note you are welcome so to do.
I thank you for the number of the Independent containing the obituary notice of Mrs. Browning. …
Publication: The Collected Correspondence of Lydia Maria Child, ed. Patricia G. Holland and Milton Meltzer, Kraus Microform, Millwood, New York, 1980, letter 1320.
Manuscript: Buffalo and Erie County Public Library.
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