SD2608. Sarianna Browning to Joseph Milsand

Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 353 (in part).

[Paris]

Saty Mg [25 October 1862] [1]

I send you one line, my dear Friend, just to say what I know you will like to hear, that Miss Henrietta Darley is much better, and that M. Jeandrin [2] wrote to Mrs Maghee a more favourable opinion than the eldest sister gave me. Mrs Maghee told me this yesterday when I called on her. Let us hope for the best: even if it should be dropsy, the patient may live through an ordinary life time: but it is injudicious to depress the poor girl’s spirits by the gloomy views which the rest of the family are too apt to take. I called on Mrs & Miss Maghee and gave the letters of introduction to Mr Stillman & Miss Church, both of whom the ladies seemed very desirous of knowing. I thought Mr Stillman, as consul, might be useful in giving information. Miss Church could get them admittance to Mr Gibson’s studio, and Miss Hosmer’s—by the bye, I quite forgot to mention that circumstance—but she had the recommendation of being a friend of M. & Mme Fisch. Mrs Maghee has left in charge for you a small souvenir from the International Exp which I will give you: she talks of going on Monday. I told you of My father’s longing for you, but said nothing of my own. We will quarrel at our leisure about Henriette Corkran– You wilfully mistake that the very precise point I praise is, that she had not l’envie de le retenir”– I can only find this wretched bit of paper in my desk—so I spare your eyes.

Ever yours affectionately,

S.B.

Address: Monsieur / Milsand, / Dijon. / Côte d’Or.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Joseph Milsand Archive.

1. Day and month provided by postmark; year provided by reference to subjects mentioned in letter 2606.

2. Sic, for Gandrin.

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