Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-10-25
dQortcstcr Daily Spg.


When was about starting for Eurone on
my way TO the east, in the summer of 1851. a
mutual friend offered me lester to Browning.
who WIS then with his wife Temporarily in
London. after their marriage, which took
place three or four years previous, they had
made their home in Italy.) Calling, one after
noon IN September, at their residence in
Devonshre street, | was fortunate enough to
md both at home, though on the very eve of
their return to Florence. In small drawing
room on the first floor, | met Browning, who
received me with great cordaity. In his
lively, cheerful manner, quick voice, and
perfect sef-possession, lie made upon me the
Impression of an American, rather than an
Englishman. He was then, should judge,
about thirty seven years Of age, but his dark
halr was already streaked with gray about the
temples. His complexion was fair, with per
hapS the faintest olive tinge, eyes large, clear
and gray, nose strong and well cut mouth
full and rather broad, and chin pointed though
not prominent. His forehead broadened rapid
ly upwards from the outer angle of the eyes,
slightly retreating. The strong individuality
which marks his poetry was expressed not
only in his face and head but in his whole
demeanOr. He was about the medium height,
strong in the shoulders, but slender at the
waist, and his movements expressed com.
blnation of vigor and elasticity.
In the room sat a very large gentleman
OF between fifty and sixty years of age. He
must have weighed two hundred and fitv
pounds at least his large, rosy face, bald
head and rotund body would have suggested
rather prosperous brewer, if a liveIier
intelligence had not twinkled in the bright.
genial eyes. This unwieldy exterior covered
one of the warmest and most generous of
hearts, aud that heavy right hand had writ.
ga 4,
man was John Kenyon, who, giving his early
ambition to be known as an author, devoted
his llte to making other authors happy. Pos
scssed of ample means, his house near London
was opened to all who handled pen, brush, or
chisel, and the noble hospitality which he
gave to art was repaid to him by the society
and esteem of the artists. He was relative
Of Mrs Browning, and at his death four
years ago, lie bequeathed to her a legacy of
100000.
Mr.. Kenyon had called to say goodbye to
his friends, and presently he took Ills leave
There, said Browning, when the door had
closed after him, there goes one of the most
splendid men living-a man so noble in his
friendship, so lavish in his hospitality, so large
hearted and benevolent, that he deserves to be
known all the world over as "Kenyon the
Magnificent" His eulogy was interrupted by
the entrance of Mrs. Browning, whom he ran
to meet with boyish livelness. She was
slight and fragile in appearance, with pale,
wasted face, shaded by masses of soft chestnut
culls which fell upon her cheeks, and serious
eyes of blush gray. Her frame seemed to be
altogether dlsproportionate 10 her soul. This,
at least was the first impression; her person.
ity, frail as it appeared, soon exercised its
power, and it seemed natural thing that she
should have written the CRY OF tie Chill
dren," or the Lady Geraldine's Courtship'
l also understood how these two poets, so diff
ferent, both intellectually and physically,
should have found their compliments in each
other. The fortunate balance of their recip-
rocal qualities, makes them an exception to
the rule that the intermarriage of authors is
unadvsable, and they appear to be-and are,
perfectly happy in their welded life -Bayard
Tavlor