SD2611. Robert Barrett Browning to Sarianna Browning
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 354 (in part).
19 Warwick Crescent.
Harrow Road.
November [1862] [1]
My dearest Sarianna
I send you some photographs of little kittens, which I thought you might like to have. How is dear Nonno? Give him my best love. Tell Willy if you see him that I wish it was not the fashon [sic] to learn Latin and Greek. Give my love to him if you happen to see him and tell him that I hope I shall soon see him again. The weather is rather fine for November in London, though it is rather cold. Four or five days ago I saw some ice which was at least two inches thick. Arabel is still away with Ocky and therefore I have not been able to give him your pressent [sic] of, bois durci, which I am sure he will be very glad to have. I hope you will come to us next year, and if you come you must bring dear Nonno with you. I have just had Tom clipped, and he looks a hundred times better than before. I have been troubled with a slight cough which I caught from the Peytons. I hear that poor Willy has also been suffering from a bad cold. I have been prevented rowing because of my cold but if the weather keeps fine I shall row through the winter. If you really wish to read a good book you ought to read some of Captain Marryat’s novels, they are capital. I will give you some of their names, in case you want to read them. Mr Midshipman Easy. Peter Simple. Frank Mildmay. Valerie. Jacob Faithful. The Phantom Ship. Japhet in search of a father. Newton Forster[.] The King’s Own. The Dog Fiend. Most of them are about the sea, and there are conversations which make you burst out laughing even if you dont wish it. I recommend you to read them if you can because they are not only written for boys, for even my master Mr Gillespie says that they are the best books of the kind that ever have been written, and he says he will never be tired of reading them.
Remember me to Madame Louis–
Write to me if you have time–
Your most affectionate
RWBB
P.S. Papa sends his best love and says he will write directly– RWBB
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Lilly Library.
1. in a letter to Isa Blagden, dated 19 November 1862, when speaking of Pen RB writes: “he has taken to earnest reading .. of Marryat’s novels! I can hardly get him to lay them down.
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