SD2915. Sarianna Browning to Joseph Milsand
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 367–368 (in part).
19, Warwick Crescent.
Saturday Eg June 22d [–23] [1867] [1]
My dear Friend,
I have expected and longed for a letter from you, but as it does not come, I must write to you, to keep you up to our affairs, and how we are going on. Well, first, Robert and Pen passed three days at Oxford, on a visit to Professor Jowett, amidst banquets, revellings, dinners, breakfasts, and all sorts of delights. Pen played croquet with the young ladies, and enjoyed himself extremely—it is the gay season at Oxford, when all the distinguished Visitors come down. Mr Jowett pressed them to stay another day, but Robert kept his original intention of returning home on Monday night– Therefore, we were rather surprised at receiving on Tuesday from Professor Jowett, a telegraphic message that he would come up by the ½ past ten at night train, to speak to Robt “on a matter of importance”. He came to announce that the University had voted to confer on Rt the Degree of M.A. by diploma. This, it appears, is a singular honour, usually given to Kings & Royal persons. Unlike the Doctor of Civil Laws, which is only an Honorary Title, this M.A. by diploma makes Rt as truly a Member of the University, as if he had lived there all his life. He is Member of Convocation, has a vote. It is to pass next Tuesday,—Robt is not expected to attend—the diploma will be sent to him. There has been plenty of telegraphing, and despatches, and all sorts of formalities. Mr Jowett did not mention it to Robt when he was at Oxford because it was not completed, and there are so many forms and precedents to be observed that you can never be sure of a thing till it is done. Of course we are all very much gratified. Robt is particularly glad at being thus incorporated in the University, though he would have accepted with pleasure even the Honorary D.C.L. Mr Jowett stayed all night with us. We made the same arrangement as when you were with us. He is a very pleasant man—rather tall & thin, with a sort of child-like rosy cherub face, and an immense forehead which seems to weigh his head down: he is remarkably gentle in his voice and manner. I was pleased by the evident pleasure he felt in the matter. He said that he believed that since Dr Johnson received a similar Degree, it had never been conferred except on Royal persons. This is the same Degree which Convocation refused to grant Rt in order to qualify him for the Professorship of Poetry, (which Rt only cared for, or would have accepted, for the sake of getting the Degree)—and now have granted him simply as an honour, which he greatly prefers. Sir Francis Doyle has gained the Professorship. You are so completely one of ourselves that I tell you every thing that touches us. Chapman, this minute, writes to say another edition of Rt’s works is wanted. So the only drawback is Pen’s want of love for Greek roots. However, Mr Jowett spoke encouragingly, and says that in home-education there is always a lack of stimulant. Still, Balliol keeps up its character for ferocity. Pen heard the most terrific stories of the difficulty of admission. Mr Jowett has invited Pen to come to him in three weeks’ time that he may see how the Greek gets on. This is most kind of him. Our plans for the future are still very undecided, as so much depends on Mr Jowett’s report of Pen.
Still, whatever be the case, the boy must have change of air—he has always been used to it, and will be ill without it. Robert also wants his favourite sea-bathing—he has been working hard this winter. We were talking this morning, Robt & I, on the subject. Of course Pen must have a glimpse of the Exhibition. Nothing is decided but I see Robert’s heart is in Croisic—he says he never liked any sea-air so well—for my own part, I only wish what others can enjoy. Robert’s only reason for hesitating is that he fears Pen must not take long holidays, as he will never work much at the sea-side, and it would not be worth the expense of going to Croisic unless we stayed there some time. My only reason for disliking Croisic is that it is so far from you. It does seem very provoking that we, loving the sea—and loving each other, should be doomed to separate coasts; and I would not ask you to come down to Croisic because I would so much rather have you with us in London. Robert is setting his heart on your soon paying us another visit,—he was talking of it this morning. You know you belong to us. It seems a necessity of my life, to have you to talk to.
My cold is better at last, though I had a return of it in the shape of a cold in the head. I called on the Corkrans, and saw Mrs C– Mary was in bed with cold. I did not see any of the girls. I am very sorry to read in this (to-day’s) Athenæum a violent attack on the poor Corkran’s novel. It is very sad, because it is an affair of bread to him, and he will feel it deeply. Minnie Thackeray was married on Tuesday. Miss Haworth writes me word that she has let her apartment at Versailles from the 15th Aug. and scarcely knows where to go meanwhile.
What are you doing, and how are you enjoying yourselves at the sea-side? Does Claire swim out, and are her young friends arrived? If I were on your coast, I am afraid I should require a baigneur, as I cannot go into the quietest sea without holding something—if I once were to lose my footing I should never recover myself, as I choke in the water and lose my breath. This letter will not go till to-morrow—so I will leave it open to see if I have any more to tell.
Sunday Aft.
I know of nothing new to add. Why don’t you write to me? Give my kind love to Claire. Robt has been sitting again for his photograph. The artist, one Watkin (I think the name is) ranks as one of the first—he called several times on Robt to beg of him to give his sitting, and at last Robt has done so. There are also several applications for the Owl’s likeness, but he is not in full feather.
Good bye, dearest Friend, Robt & Pen send their best love–
Ever your affectionate
S.B.
Address: France. / Monsieur Milsand, / St Aubin sur Mer. / par Luc-sur-mer. / Calvados.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Joseph Milsand Archive.
1. Year provided by postmark.
___________________
