with a miraculous cheapness, and no trouble, no cook, no kitchen; the prophet Elijah or the lilies of the field took as little thought for their dining, which exactly suits us.  It is a continental fashion which we never cease commending.  Then at six we have coffee, and rolls of milk, made of milk, I mean, and at nine our supper (call it supper, if you please) of roast chestnuts and grapes.  So you see how primitive we are, and how I forget to praise the eggs at breakfast.  The worst of Pisa is, or would be to some persons, that, socially speaking, it has its dullnesses; it is not lively like Florence, not in that way.  But we do not want society, we shun it rather.  We like the Duomo and the Campo Santo instead.  Then we know a little of Professor Ferucci, who gives us access to the University library, and we subscribe to a modern one, and we have plenty of writing to do of our own.  If we can do anything for Fanny Hanford, let us know.  It would be too happy, I suppose, to have to do it for yourselves.  Think, however, I am quite well, quite well.  I can thank God, too, for being alive and well.  Make dear Mr. Martin keep well, and not forget himself in the Herefordshire cold—­draw him into the sun somewhere.  Now write and tell me everything of your plans and of you both, dearest friends.  My husband bids me say that he desires to have my friends for his own friends, and that he is grateful to you for not crossing that feeling.  Let him send his regards to you.  And let me be throughout all changes,

Your ever faithful and most affectionate
BA.

I am expecting every day to hear from my dearest sisters.  Write to them and love them for me.

This letter has been kept for several days from different causes.  Will you inclose the little note to Miss Mitford?  I do not hear from home, and am uneasy.

May God bless you!

November 9.

I am so vexed about those poems appearing just now in ’Blackwood.’[150] Papa must think it impudent of me.  It is unfortunate.

[Footnote 150:  Blackwood’s Magazine for October 1846 contained the following poems by Mrs. Browning, some phrases in which might certainly be open to comment if they were supposed to have been deliberately chosen for publication at this particular time:  ’A Woman’s Shortcomings,’ ‘A Man’s Requirements,’ ‘Maude’s Spinning,’ ’A Dead Rose,’ ‘Change on Change,’ ‘A Reed,’ and ‘Hector in the Garden.’]

To Miss Mitford [Pisa]:  November 5, 1846.

I have your letter, ever dearest Miss Mitford, and it is welcome even more than your letters have been used to be to me—­the last charm was to come, you see, by this distance.  For all your affection and solicitude, may you trust my gratitude; and if you love me a little, I love you indeed, and never shall cease.  The only difference shall be that two may love you where one did, and for my part I will answer for it that if you could love the poor