SD2897. Jane Maria Strachey to Richard Strachey

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 363 (in part).

32 George Square

May 9th / 67.

Dearest Richard,

In your last letter from Madras you said you had not got 2 mails’ letters from me …

I shall now tell you of an indulgence which I have allowed to myself … Elinor went with me to Seaton, Mackenzie’s to order a set of Browning; & I devised such a splendid & appropriate bindings for the vols. that I could not resist getting them for myself too! They will cost about 2 guineas altogether, & are really perfect—or will be; each vol. in different & appropriate colours. One does not often know a great poet personally & must make the most of him consequently. I am not without a lurking hope that he will send me his new work, of which he told us the story in detail when I was in London. I met & sat next to him at dinner—also, & had some entertaining talk; at the same dinner were Mr & Mrs Busk, & when we went up to the drawingroom she asked in a reverential tone if I had known the great Robert from childhood; we instantly fraternized over his works & talked like two steam-engines to our mutual gratification. Lady Lubbock says she is the cleverest woman in the world; she is also very like Miss Bunion. By the way R.B. made a remark to me which I choose to take as a compliment; we were talking of Watts’ portraits—& he said “I suppose you have often had your picture taken.”

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: India Office Records.

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