My two dear friends will have supposed,with plenty of reason,that I never got the kind letter some weeks ago.When it came,I was in the middle of an affair,conducted by letters of quite another kind,with people abroad:and as I fancied that every next day might bring me news very interesting to me and likely to be worth telling to the dear friends,I waited and waited --and only two days since did the matter come to a satisfactory conclusion --so,as the Irish song has it,'Open your eyes and die with surprise'when I inform you that I have purchased the Manzoni Palace here,on the Canal Grande,of its owner,Marchese Montecucculi,an Austrian and an absentee --hence the delay of communication.I did this purely for Pen --who became at once simply infatuated with the city which won my whole heart long before he was born or thought of.I secure him a perfect domicile,every facility for his painting and sculpture,and a property fairly worth,even here and now,double what I gave for it --such is the virtue in these parts of ready money!I myself shall stick to London --which has been so eminently good and gracious to me --so long as God permits;only,when the inevitable outrage of Time gets the better of my body --(I shall not believe in his reaching my soul and proper self)--there will be a capital retreat provided:and meantime I shall be able to 'take mine ease in mine own inn'whenever so minded.
There,my dear friends!I trust now to be able to leave very shortly;the main business cannot be formally concluded before two months at least --through the absence of the Marchese,--who left at once to return to his duties as commander of an Austrian ship;but the necessary engagement to sell and buy at a specified price is made in due legal form,and the papers will be sent to me in London for signature.
I hope to get away the week after next at latest,--spite of the weather in England which to-day's letters report as 'atrocious',--and ours,though variable,is in the main very tolerable and sometimes perfect;for all that,I yearn to be at home in poor Warwick Crescent,which must do its best to make me forget my new abode.
I forget you don't know Venice.Well then,the Palazzo Manzoni is situate on the Grand Canal,and is described by Ruskin,--to give no other authority,--as 'a perfect and very rich example of Byzantine Renaissance:
its warm yellow marbles are magnificent.'And again --'an exquisite example (of Byzantine Renaissance)as applied to domestic architecture.'
So testify the 'Stones of Venice'.But we will talk about the place,over a photograph,when I am happy enough to be with you again.
Of Venetian gossip there is next to none.We had an admirable Venetian Company,--using the dialect,--at the Goldoni Theatre.
The acting of Zago,in his various parts,and Zenon-Palladini,in her especial character of a Venetian piece of volubility and impulsiveness in the shape of a servant,were admirable indeed.The manager,Gallina,is a playwright of much reputation,and gave us some dozen of his own pieces,mostly good and clever.S.is very well,--much improved in health:
we walk sufficiently in this city where walking is accounted impossible by those who never attempt it.Have I tired your good temper?
No!you ever wished me well,and I love you both with my whole heart.
S.'s love goes with mine --who am ever yours Robert Browning.
He never,however,owned the Manzoni Palace.The Austrian gentlemen whose property it was,put forward,at the last moment,unexpected and to his mind unreasonable claims;and he was preparing to contest the position,when a timely warning induced him to withdraw from it altogether.The warning proceeded from his son,who had remained on the spot,and was now informed on competent authority that the foundations of the house were insecure.
In the early summer of 1884,and again in 1886,Miss Browning had a serious illness;and though she recovered,in each case completely,and in the first rapidly,it was considered desirable that she should not travel so far as usual from home.
She and her brother therefore accepted for the August and September of 1884the urgent invitation of an American friend,Mrs.Bloomfield Moore,to stay with her at a villa which she rented for some seasons at St.Moritz.
Mr.Browning was delighted with the Engadine,where the circumstances of his abode,and the thoughtful kindness of his hostess,allowed him to enjoy the benefits of comparative civilization together with almost perfect repose.The weather that year was brilliant until the end of September,if not beyond it;and his letters tell the old pleasant story of long daily walks and a general sense of invigoration.One of these,written to Mr.and Mrs.Skirrow,also contains some pungent remarks on contemporary events,with an affectionate allusion to one of the chief actors in them.
'Anyhow,I have the sincerest hope that Wolseley may get done as soon,and kill as few people,as possible,--keeping himself safe and sound --brave dear fellow --for the benefit of us all.'
He also speaks with great sympathy of the death of Mr.Charles Sartoris,which had just taken place at St.-Moritz.
In 1886,Miss Browning was not allowed to leave England;and she and Mr.Browning established themselves for the autumn at the Hand Hotel at Llangollen,where their old friends,Sir Theodore and Lady Martin,would be within easy reach.
Mr.Browning missed the exhilarating effects of the Alpine air;but he enjoyed the peaceful beauty of the Welsh valley,and the quiet and comfort of the old-fashioned English inn.
