SD805. William Harrison Ainsworth to John Macrone
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 3, 331 (in part).
[London]
Wednesday Morning. [Docket: 27 July 1836]
My dear Macrone
I had yesterday, as I anticipated, the pleasure of making your new Poet’s acquaintance—and from what I saw of him—and, from what I heard and saw I am induced to form a very high opinion of him. He is full of genius. In appearance he might pass for a son of Paganini and Maclise and I must hide our diminished heads before his superabundant black locks—while even your whiskers improved as they are by the salt water are insignificant compared with his lion-like ruff.– But his is absurd—and, as absurdity is the farthest thing removed from Mr Browning, I ought not connect anything of the kind with him. Sordello complete he is to write a Tragedy for Macready—and I feel quite sure that he has great dramatic genius. As moreover his tragedy is to be written for, and produced next season—you will have no reason, I am sure, to regret your immediate undertaking.—
Mighty changes are anon to take place in the Examiner. What these changes are I am not at liberty to unfold—but they are of a nature that will much interest the literary world and publishers in particular. It is not improbable I shall see Browning again on Sunday. Macready invited me to dine at Elstree to meet yesterday’s Party on that day—and my present intention is to go there.
The more I think over Runnymede and the better I like the project. Assuredly the book will do. Neither would I delay Boz an instant. Apropos of Boz I received a letter from my Sister the other day—and she who reads nothing had been reading the 1st bit of Boz with great delight. Now, mark me, she had not received this copy from me. This is the highest compt I [1] can pay the Book.
Mrs Touchet sends Mrs Macrone a few vegetables. You say they are not wholly unacceptable.–
I forgot to ask yesterday what has been done abt the Picture? Have you heard from Maclise’s frame-maker?–
And lastly—in reference to the Agreement which Charles—Dickens was about to copy. Insert the clause prepared by Copley and make the conditions relating to Rockwood refer to this Edition and I shall be abundantly contented: neither shall you have any reason to complain of me.–
I have now spun a sufficiently long yarn and have only to wish you success in the most important matter of all—the negotiations with Moore—Memento Mori—and also Moran. [2] Success attend you!–
Best remembrances to Mrs Macrone—if she “looks” as well as you look after your journey you may rest perfectly contented.
Ever Yrs, in hot haste,
W.H.A.
Let the accompanying note to Tom Corson go at once.
Docket, in unidentified hand: Ainsworth / 1836 / July 27.
Publication: S.M. Ellis, William Harrison Ainsworth and His Friends (London, 1911), I, 290–291 (in part).
Manuscript: Huntington Library.
1. Underscored twice.
2. Of The Globe.
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