as a great artist must, and this with an absence of pretension and simplicity of manners which accord rather with the childish dimples in her rosy cheeks than with her broad forehead and high aims.  The Archer Clives have been to Naples, but have returned for a time.  Mr. Lockhart, who went to England with the Duke of Wellington (the same prepared to bury him on the road), writes to Mrs. Sartoris that he has grown much better under the influence of the native beef and beer.  To do him justice he looked, when here, innocent of the recollection even of either.  I wonder if you have seen Mrs. Howe’s poems, lately out, called ‘Passion Flowers.’  They were sent to me by an American friend but were intercepted en route, so that I have not set eyes on them yet, but one or two persons, not particularly reliable as critics, have praised them to me.  She is the wife of Dr. Howe, the deaf and dumb philanthropist, and herself neither deaf nor dumb (very much the contrary) I understand—­a handsome woman and brilliant in society.  I gossip on to you, dearest dear Miss Mitford, as if you were in gossiping humour.  Believe that my tender thoughts, deeper than any said, are with you always.

Robert’s love with that of your attached
BA.

We go on the 22nd of this month.  You have seen Mr. Chorley’s book, I daresay, which I should like much to see.

* * * * *

To Miss Browning

Casa Guidi:  Thursday, [end of May 1854].

My dearest Sarianna,—­I am delighted to say that we have arrived, and see our dear Florence, the queen of Italy, after all.  On the road I said to Penini, ‘Make a poem about Florence.’  Without a moment’s hesitation he began, ’Florence is more pretty of all.  Florence is a beauty.  Florence was born first, and then Rome was born.  And Paris was born after.’  Penini is always en verve.  He’s always ready to make a poem on any subject, and doesn’t ask you to wait while he clears his voice.  The darling will soon get over the effect of that poisonous Roman air, I do trust, though it is humiliating to hear our Florentines wailing over the loss of bloom and dimples; it doesn’t console me that his amount of growth is properly acknowledged.  Well, good milk and good air will do their work in a little time with God’s blessing, and a most voracious appetite is developed already, I am glad to say.  Even in the journey he revived, the blue marks under the darling eyes fading gradually away, and now he looks decidedly better, though unlike himself of two months ago.  You are to understand that the child is perfectly well, and that the delicate look is traceable distinctly and only to the attacks he had in Rome during the last few weeks.  Throughout the winter he was radiant, as I used to tell you, and the confessed king of the whole host of his contemporaries and country-babies....