SD2953. Reuben Browning to Augustus Philip Mason

Listed in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 379.

London

New Court

St. Swithins Lane

27 Jany 1868

My dear Philip

It is so long since I saw you that I am wondering what sort of a chap you are– I received your letter announcing that you had got married– So far that’s good if you can maintain a wife– I can only give you my best wishes that you & your good wife may be happy together & prosperous–

I have 8 young ones now—Bob the eldest has nothing to do, as Smithers failed, well when he was & business is so bad, that there is nothing doing. Patience. Michael the 2nd boy is in the Counting house with me and Tom the 3d is in Paris learning to be an assayer of metals–

I know nothing about New Zealand, but they say the Climate is good– If you meet with a German Gentleman an old friend of mine, named—Hofrath Ferdinand Meier—I should like to hear about him—he was one of my very intimate friends–

I cannot give you a good account of your mother: she is obstinate– With kind regards to your wife & self

Your affectionate Uncle

R Browning

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Mrs. A.J. White.

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