SD2623. Marrianne Magee to Joseph Milsand
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 355 (in part).
28. Corso.
Rome
January 16th [1863]
My Dear Friend,
What a careless ungrateful creature you must think me to have been so long in this delicious wonderful old place, and not have told you somewhat of our impressions in seeing it once more—or said how much of our comfort and enjoyment we owe to you from the introductions, so kindly given to us by Miss Browning– Our letters were no sooner delivered than a charming Evening visit from Miss Church commenced an acquaintance, which we find every day more agreeable, and Mr Stil[l]man was not slower in responding to Miss B’s kind appeal in our favor—he called upon us immediately, and has proved an extremely pleasant, and most useful acquaintance. To them we are indebted for admission to the Artistic Society here which we most coveted; and as their countrymen & women quite bear away the palm in Rome, it was a peculiar advantage being made known to them thro’ compatriots–
Miss Hosmer & Miss Stebbins are most remarkable very dissimilar in character, but both pursuing the same line of art—without rivalry—and bound together by the strongest ties of friendship. They and Miss Cushman live together in a very handsome appartment [in] via Gregoriana—and are equally admired & esteemed here. We have just had a most amiable invitation to a soirée at their house which we have accepted, and hope to meet all these clever and interesting women clayeletts. …
I forgot to say any thing of the Storys, for whose acquaintance we are also int\debted to Miss Browning, I have not met him yet, but hear he is a nice person. Madame sent her card—with a pencil announcement that she receives every Friday from 3 till 6. We went and found troops of people going in & out, principally English, for the Americans say she snubs them—I didn’t fancy her—tho’ she was very civil. She is I think what we call (in slang) a left hander– … Another introduction by an Irish friend proved very pleasant to a Padre Mulhooly, the prior of a convent here, who is quite a celebraté—from his successful excavations thro which he discovered a church built in the 3d Century, & perfectly forgotten—even by Historians since the 9th. The Frescos &c are wonderful, some quite fresh. …
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Joseph Milsand Archive.
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