Life and Letters of Robert Browning [85]
one written by Mr. Browning to Frederic Leighton, the other by his wife
to her sister-in-law. Mr. -- now Sir F. -- Leighton had been studying art
during the previous winter in Italy.
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Kingdom of Piedmont, Siena: Oct. 9, '59.
`My dear Leighton -- I hope -- and think -- you know what delight it gave me
to hear from you two months ago. I was in great trouble at the time
about my wife who was seriously ill. As soon as she could bear removal
we brought her to a villa here. She slowly recovered and is at last WELL
-- I believe -- but weak still and requiring more attention than usual.
We shall be obliged to return to Rome for the winter --
not choosing to risk losing what we have regained with some difficulty.
Now you know why I did not write at once -- and may imagine why,
having waited so long, I put off telling you for a week or two
till I could say certainly what we do with ourselves.
If any amount of endeavour could induce you to join us there --
Cartwright, Russell, the Vatican and all -- and if such a step
were not inconsistent with your true interests -- you should have it:
but I know very well that you love Italy too much not to have had
weighty reasons for renouncing her at present -- and I want your own good
and not my own contentment in the matter. Wherever you are,
be sure I shall follow your proceedings with deep and true interest.
I heard of your successes -- and am now anxious to know how you get on
with the great picture, the `Ex voto' -- if it does not prove
full of beauty and power, two of us will be shamed, that's all!
But _I_ don't fear, mind! Do keep me informed of your progress,
from time to time -- a few lines will serve -- and then I shall slip some day
into your studio, and buffet the piano, without having grown a stranger.
Another thing -- do take proper care of your health, and exercise yourself;
give those vile indigestions no chance against you; keep up your spirits,
and be as distinguished and happy as God meant you should.
Can I do anything for you at Rome -- not to say, Florence?
We go thither (i.e. to Florence) to-morrow, stay there a month, probably,
and then take the Siena road again.'
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The next paragraph refers to some orders for photographs,
and is not specially interesting.
==
Cartwright arrived here a fortnight ago -- very pleasant it was to see him:
he left for Florence, stayed a day or two and returned to Mrs. Cartwright
(who remained at the Inn) and they all departed prosperously yesterday
for Rome. Odo Russell spent two days here on his way thither --
we liked him much. Prinsep and Jones -- do you know them? -- are in the town.
The Storys have passed the summer in the villa opposite, --
and no less a lion than dear old Landor is in a house a few steps off.
I take care of him -- his amiable family having clawed him
a little too sharply: so strangely do things come about!
I mean his Fiesole `family' -- a trifle of wife, sons and daughter --
not his English relatives, who are generous and good in every way.
Take any opportunity of telling dear Mrs. Sartoris (however unnecessarily)
that I and my wife remember her with the old feeling -- I trust she is well
and happy to heart's content. Pen is quite well and rejoicing just now
in a Sardinian pony on which he gallops like Puck on a dragon-fly's back.
My wife's kind regard and best wishes go with those of,
Dear Leighton, yours affectionately ever,
R. Browning.
==
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October 1859.
Mrs. to Miss Browning.
`. . . After all, it is not a cruel punishment to have to go to Rome again
this winter, though it will be an undesirable expense, and we did wish
to keep quiet this winter, -- the taste for constant wanderings
having passed away as much for me as for Robert. We begin to see
that by no possible means can one spend as much money to so small an end --
and then we don't work so well, don't live to as much use
either for ourselves or others. Isa Blagden