SD2622. Sarianna Browning to Anthony G. Snellgrove
Listed in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 355.
151. rue de Grenelle,
St Gn
Paris
Jany 6th 1863–
My dear Mr Snellgrove,
It is now some months since I saw announced in the papers the death of Mr Clayton, and I have long been wishing to write to you on the subject. Of course, his death could not, in one sense, be altogether unexpected; yet as his health had been so good, it rather surprised me– Are you aware whether he had any previous illness, or was suddenly called away? I feel much interest in one so closely connected with my earliest recollections. As I believe I have told you sometimes, it is not my intention to continue my subscription to the York St Schools, now that they are entirely in other hands. I prefer transferring the money to a charity in which I can take a more personal interest, and I intend to give it to a Refuge for Destitute Children with which I am well acquainted. As to my trifling contribution to the Sunday School, if it is one in which you teach or direct, I shall gladly continue it, but if not, it is scarcely worth while to give you the trouble of calling for the money. Pray let me thank you most heartily for the kindness and punctuality with which you have attended for so many years to these affairs of mine,—I feel extremely obliged to you.
I regretted not being able to run over to see you and your family during my short stay in London last May: but I had such a crush of things to do and so little time to do it all in, that I could not manage it, though I hope to do so the next time I visit town: whenever that may be.
I hope your father and mother, brothers and sisters are all quite well. Pray offer them my kindest New Year’s good wishes. My father continues in the enjoyment of excellent health and sends his affectionate remembrance.
Believe me always
Very truly yours
Sarianna Browning
Text: William Whitla, “Letters of Robert Browning and His Sister to the Snellgroves,” Browning Society Notes, 4 (July 1974), p. 20.
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