SD2524. Sarianna Browning to William Allingham

Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 29, 316 (in part).

151, rue de Grenelle St G.

Paris

Sept. 28th [1861] [1]

My dear Mr Allingham,

Your letter reached me last night and I write at once as you request. No little volume ever reached me, I am sorry to say, or I should not have let it pass without a line of acknowledgment. I have little to say, for of our sad loss I can scarcely speak: my poor brother’s agony of grief you can imagine without words—we feel thankful to God, in the midst of our sorrow, for her sweet and blessed end.

My brother left Italy as soon as he could arrange his affairs; he then came to us (my father and myself) and we went together to a wild, secluded spot on the sea-coast of Brittany, where we spent six weeks– The bracing air and the absolute quiet calmed and soothed my poor brother; we returned a few days ago, and he is now gone to London where he will pernamently reside for the sake of the child’s education. Little Pen is healthy and sunburnt and grows quite a great boy, with a wholesome love of play and horror of lessons.

If your holiday plans lead you this way, I shall be very happy to see you. We live as quietly as ever in our old quarters. I am very glad to hear you are preparing us a great poem–

With the best of good wishes believe me

Very truly yours

Sarianna Browning.

Address: W. Allingham Esq / Lane / Ballyshannon / Ireland.

Publication: Letters to William Allingham, ed. H. Allingham and E. Baumer Williams (London, 1911), p. 117.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.

1. Year provided by postmark.

___________________