and through the chestnut forests, and precipitous beyond what you would think possible for ascent or descent.  Ravines tearing the ground to pieces under your feet.  The scenery, sublime and wonderful, satisfied us wholly, however, as we looked round on the world of innumerable mountains bound faintly with the grey sea, and not a human habitation.  I hope you will go to London this winter; it will be good for you, it seems to me.  Take care of yourself, my much and ever loved friend!  I love you and think of you indeed.  Write of your health, remembering this,

And your affectionate,
E.B.B.

My husband’s regards always.  You had better, I think, direct to Florence, as we shall be there in the course of October.

[Footnote 190:  Minister of the Interior in the Republic of 1848, and one of the most prominent f the advanced Republican leaders.]

[Footnote 191:  A letter, addressed to a private friend but intended to be made public, denouncing the reactionary and oppressive administration of the restored Pope.]

[Footnote 192:  Probably the first part of Casa Guidi Windows.]

[Footnote 193:  By A.H.  Clough and T. Burbidge.]

To Florence, accordingly, they returned in October, and settled down once more in Casa Guidi for the winter.  Mrs. Browning’s principal literary occupation at this time was the preparation of a new edition of her poems, including nearly all the contents of the ‘Seraphim’ volume of 1838, more or less revised, as well as the ‘Poems’ of 1844.  This edition, published in 1850, has formed the basis of all subsequent editions of her poems.  Meanwhile her husband was engaged in the preparation of ‘Christmas Eve and Easter Day,’ which was also published in the course of 1850.

To Miss Mitford Florence:  December I, 1849.

My ever loved friend, you will have wondered at this unusual silence; and so will my sisters to whom I wrote just now, after a pause as little in my custom.  It was not the fault of my head and heart, but of this unruly body, which has been laid up again in the way of all flesh of mine....

I am well again now, only obliged to keep quiet and give up my grand walking excursions, which poor Robert used to be so boastful of.  If he is vain about anything in the world, it is about my improved health, and I used to say to him, ’But you needn’t talk so much to people of how your wife walked here with you and there with you, as if a wife with a pair of feet was a miracle of nature.’  Now the poor feet have fallen into their old ways again.  Ah, but if God pleases it won’t be for long....