SD2933. Sarianna Browning to Joseph Milsand
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 375–376 (in part).
[London]
Friday. Oct. 25. [1867] [1]
My dear Friend,
I am very glad to get your letter, for I wanted to write and feared that our letters might again cross. I feel so sorry that you are still suffering—would not change—a visit to us—do you good? Don’t smile—the weather here, to do it justice, has been beautiful lately—too warm for the season. We cannot endure fires, and I am forced to resume my discarded summer clothing.
First let me tell you that Mr Jowett came up to town on Sunday for a few hours—told Robt he had engaged rooms for Pen, and a first-rate classical tutor, and Pen went down to Oxford the next day. He writes word that he is in very pleasant rooms in a new lodging-house belonging to Balliol—that he has seen his new tutor who appears satisfied with him—told him his Latin was quite safe, and that it was possible Pen might be ready for matriculation at Christmas. This has pleased us—for whether the boy gets in at Christmas or the Spring is of little consequence so long as he is going on well and really working. I feel convinced that he will derive great benefit from being thrown among reading young men, (and all the Balliol men must read, from the high level of the college examination) and as he is a steady, good lad we do not fear his being left to himself—for of course, he is not yet under the regular college discipline. His boat is to be sent down to Oxford. All his masters here are sorry to part from him, and appear sincerely attached to him, which says something in his favour. Now for my grand news—on Monday Robt received a letter from the Master of Balliol announcing that he had been elected Hony Fellow of Balliol. This is a great honour, and a most unusual one. Robt is extremely delighted—especially as he has good hopes of Pen. Pen, too, was not a little pleased. By the way—you ask after Robt’s progress—he worked while we were at Croisic, but Pen was a hindrance– Now that he is free, and in good spirits, he works very hard, and hopes to bring his poem out at Christmas. We breakfast at eight, since Pen left, and he works steadily till lunch at one. How glad we shall be to see you! Robt is afraid you will [be] dull as nobody is in town, but I know you will not care for that. As for myself, you know how used I am to a solitary life. You know also what a delight your presence will be to us both. I dare not urge you to come—it would be selfish—but do try. You are getting a reputation in England—your name is mentioned with Robert’s in the Fraser article on Sordello. Yes, we have all been grieved by the affairs in Italy—though happily the storm has blown over for the present. All Garibaldi’s foolish restless vanity—we too feel angry with him, and tempted to wish for his own sake that his career had ended gloriously some years ago. How right my poor sister was when she said in the height of his popularity—“One Cavour is better than a hundred Garibaldis.”
But to return to my leading idea. I was very disappointed that your letter did not announce your arrival, as I had flattered myself—to confess my vanity, I hoped I might coax you into staying till Christmas to greet Pen on his return. What comfortable gossiping over the fire I had promised myself! Is it not really true that you will soon come? The house and our hearts are open to you at all times, only the sooner the better.
Let me hear that you are recovering from that dreadful neuralgia—since I have returned to London I have scarcely felt a touch of it.
I am anxious to despatch this, so I will say good bye though I seem to have left much unsaid. Our truest love–
Ever yours.
S.B.
Address: France. / Monsieur Milsand. / Villers la Faye– / par Nuits. / Côte d’Or.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Joseph Milsand Archive.
1. Year provided by postmark.
___________________
