SD2851. Frances Elinor Colvile to Jane Maria Strachey
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 352 (in part).
8. Rutland Gate. S.W.
Monday 26th Novber [1866] [1]
Dearest Janie,
I have been a wretch about writing. …
We had an eight dinner last Friday—not intentionally but the other guests failed. We had the Sartorises (Adelaide) 3 of them (which is two too many) Mr Froude, Mr Browning & Lena Eden. I think it was too few—it seems to me every one of the eight must be lively & clever & when you have two of the Sartorises who were very silent (they got each other at table too, father & daughter) & perhaps I ought to include myself & say three who were of no particular account, it was too small a party to be quite lively enough. It might have been only that I was not in my usual spirits on account of the tablecloth affair. Mr Browning was so pleasant, he amused us much with his account of the proceedings of a grand jury at Clerkenwell on which he was. The inconceivable stupidity of the jury men & of the foreman—one man who was accused of stealing something & confessed he had done so—one of the jury with a solemn face “We have only his own admission.” The foreman always said to every trumpery bacon stealing or whatever it was “Here’s a cruel case gentleman.” It must have been a sight to have seen him amongst the idiots. He was full of remorse for his conduct to you—he had sallied forth on his return to London the other day with Colonel Stracheys name at the head of the list & found the house to let. He was looking very well & is a better colour than his picture. …
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: India Office Records.
1. Year based on reference to RB serving on the grand jury at Clerkenwell.
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