SD2580. Robert Browning, Sr. to Sarianna Browning
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 347 (in part).
Paris
May 24th 1862–
My dearest Sarianna–
I am glad to find my letter, afforded you any pleasure, for I was terribly at a loss to know what to write about.– I am extremely sorry for Roberts account—& heartily wish he had my Drs to attend him– I met the lady, a friend of Mr Stillman’s on the Quai—she tells me that she thinks Mrs S. is not coming over to Europe—as Mr S. is not quite satisfied with his new situation, & says he must certainly resign it, unless they allow him a fixed Salary– Mrs Dyke & all her family called on me the day before yesterday, & I treated them with Cake & wine– I was all yesterday morning writing at the Biblioteque—& gleaned enough to employ me a couple of days at home– I am now bothering myself with gathering particulars about Marozia & her 2 Drs—and it is amazing what pains the Catholic writers have taken (even the best of them) to conceal or disguise the events of a period, more disgraceful to the Church than any thing that cod be said of Pope Joan– I had in England, several books that cod have thrown great light upon the subject—which I never hope to meet with here— For I am almost certain that all cheap protestant Books are bought up—probably with a view to their being destroyed– I cannot otherwise account for the sudden disappearance of Books, which I see fresh one day & find them gone the next.– I have not bought a book since,—I find it answers my present purpose to go peeping to Biograph & dictionies &c & copying down my information whilst it is fresh in my memory—I have had but one letter for you from somebody in Paris– The weather here is warm & showery—at present a dark cloud hovers over Paris—but I believe it is only a blight.– Thank you for the Papers they have just arrived.
Madame Louis has just returned; Louis is a great deal better–
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May 25th
Since writing the above, Mrs Bracken & Willy called upon me—luckily Mdme Louis was at home– I have sent off the Athenm to Dijon– I am now waiting the return of Madme Louis from the Infirmary, having nothing more to add, except my kind love to Robert & Pen—& hope the former’s ankle is better. I will just mention however, that last night as I lay awake in bed, I felt a severe spasm in my left leg—it was a very short tho’ sharp one—but to day I find myself quite free from any sign of rheumatism– It is now 3 o’clock Madme L. has not returned–
Your affecte Father
R Browning
What a Shocking affair in Manchester!
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.
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