The Brownings’ Correspondence, Volume 12

Volume 12 begins with RB’s thoughts on tyranny, inspired by the behavior of EBB’s father. The poets’ extended conversation in letters continues with few interruptions. They make vague plans about Italy and discuss art, literature, and personalities. Another mild winter has led to further improvement in EBB’s health: in May, she takes her first walk in Regent’s Park. She provides Anna Jameson with two translations of a passage from the Odyssey; these appear in the latter’s Memoirs and Essays (1846). They will later be reprinted in EBB’s Last Poems (1862) under the title: “The Daughters of Pandarus.” RB’s Luria and A Soul’s Tragedy (Bells and Pomegranates, No. VIII) is published in April; they reflect many of the changes suggested by EBB in her critical notes. An appendix to this volume contains a reprint of a lecture delivered by W.J. Fox on EBB and Sarah Flower Adams.