SD2811. Sarianna Browning to Joseph Milsand
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 344 (in part).
[Paris]
Monday Evg [22–23 January 1866] [1]
My dear Mr Milsand,
I am very sorry that you are so unwell. I would come and see you, only I doubt whether my company would be very agreable. What is the matter with everyone? Mrs Dyke sends me word that her youngest child has had a chill, and one of the tonsils of his throat is much inflamed– I have been to-day to Mrs Gurney and find her two children have inflammatory coughs.
I take it for granted that you have received my note saying that Ellen cannot come before Friday—even now, I do not know anything about the hour when I may expect her: she is going on that day to a cours in my neighbourhood.
I saw Mrs Bracken this morning—she returns to England on Wednesday. It is very curious that none of my Pall Malls arrive—(nor the “Punch” of which Robert spoke, containing some fun about himself—) [2] yet Mrs Hammett gets hers—a few occasionally stopped, but the greater part safe. She offered to lend me hers– I think perhaps it is because hers are folded up in a peculiar way—a dodge I must show to Robert. My father is not very well to-night—seems in a good deal of pain.
Send me word how you and Mme Milsand are going on. I wish I could be of any use: it would be a true pleasure to me if I could do anything for you.
Ever yours truly,
Sarianna Browning.
I wrote this yesterday– I have been to find some Tamarinds—our English specific for sore throat.
Address: Monsieur Milsand, / 10, bis. rue Perronet, / Neuilly.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Joseph Milsand Archive.
1. Dated by reference to the “Tamarinds,” which Sarianna apparently sent under cover of this letter, which bears no postmark (see letter SD2812).
2. A reference to the article entitled “A Practical Critic” that appeared in the issue of 20 January 1866, p. 31. It plays on a police-report in the Times that “an eccentric man named Robert Browning was charged with disorderly conduct.”
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