Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-08-29
xflmont Chronicle.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

abled to make excursions IN Engianu prior
tn her departure for the land OF her adoption,
Italy, where she found a second and dearel
home. For nearly fifteen years Florence
and the Brownirgs had been one in the
thoughts of many English and Americans
and Casa Guidi. which has been immortal
lied by Mrs. Brownings genius, will be a:
dear to the Anglo Saxon traveller as Milton
Forentine residence has been heretofore. =
Those who now pass by Casa Guidi fancy an
additional gloom has settled upon the dark
face of the old palace, and grieye to think
that those windows from which spirit face
witnessed two Italian revolutions, and those
large mysterious rooms where spirit hand
translated the great Italian Cause into burn.
ing verse, and pleaded the rights of humani-
ty in aurora Leigh" are hereafter to be
the passing homes Of the thoughtless or un-
sympathizing.
Those who have known Casa Guidi as it
was could hardly enter the loved rooms now
and speak above whisper. They who
have been 80 favored can never forget the
square ante-room, with its great picture and
piano-forte, at which the boy Browning
passed many an hour-the little dining-room
covered with tapestry, and where hung me
Browning-the long room filed with plaster
casts, and studies, which was Mr.. Brown
ing's retreat-aud, dearest of all, the large
drawing-room, where she always sat it
opens upon balcony filed with plants, and
looks out upon the old ron-gray church of
Santa Feice. There was something about
this room that seemed to make it proper
and especial haunt for poets The dark
shadows and subdued light gave it dreamy
look, which was enhanced by the tapestry
covered walls and the old pictures Of saints
that looked out sadly from their carved
frames of black wood Large book eases,
constructed of specimens of Florentine cary
ing selected by Mr.. Browning, were brm-
ming over with wise-looking books. Tables
were covered with more gayly bound vol
umes the gifts ofbrother authors. Dante S
great profile, a cast of Keats face and brow
taken after death, pen-and-ink sketch of
Tennyson, the genial face Of John Kenyon,
Mrs. Browning's good friend and relative,
little paintings of the boy Browning, all at
tracted the eye in turn, and gave rise to a
thousand musings. A quaint mirror, easy
that always add an indescribable charm
were all massed in this room. But the
glory of all and that which sanctifed all, was
seated in low arm chair near the door,
A small table, strewn with writing materials,
books, and newspapers, was always by her
side.
HER PERSONAL APPEARANCE
To those who loved Mrs. Browning land
to know her was to love herr she was Singu-
larly attractive. Hers was not the beauty
of feature it was the loftier beauty of ex-
preston. Her slight figure seemed hardly
largo enough to contain the great heart that
beat so fervently within, and the 4nu that
expanded more and more as one year gave
place to another 1t was difficult Ia believe
that such fairy hand could pen thoughts
of such ponderous weight, or thiJ such q
''still small voice" could utter them with
equal force But it was Mrs. Browning
face upon which one loved to gaze-thai
face and head which almost lost themselve,
in the thick curls of her dark brown hair. -
That jealous hair could not hide the broad
fair forehead, ''royal with the TRUTH" q,
smooth as any girls and
TOO large for wreath OF modern wont"
Her large brown eyes were beautiful ant
were in truth the windows of hcrsoul. The,
combined the confdingness Off child witt
the poet-passion OF heart and of intellect
and in gazing into them it was easy to reac
why Mrs. Browning wrote. Gods inspira
ton was her motive power, and in her eye
was the reflection Of this higher light.
"And her smile il seemed half holy
As ifdrawn from thoughts iur
Than our common jcstings are"
HER CHARACTER.
Mrs. Browning's character was wel-nigl
perfect. Patient in long suffering, she nev
er spoke Of herself, except when the sub
ject was forced upon her by others, and thor
with no complaint. She judged not, saving
when great principles were imperilcd, and
then was ready to sacrifice herself upon the
altar Of Right. Forgving as she wished tc
be forgiven, none approached her with mis-
givings, knowing her magnanimity. She
was ever ready to accord sympathy to all
taking an earnest interest in the most in
significant, and so humble in her greatnes.
that her friends looked upon her as diyini,
ty among women. Thoughtful in the small
est things for Others, she seemed to give
little thought to herself; and believing in
universal goodness her nature was free tronl
worldly suspicious. The first to see merit,
she was the last to censure faults, and gave
the praise that she felt with generous hand.
No oneso heartily rejoiced at the success Of
Others, no one was 80 modest in her own
triumphs, which she looked upon more as
favor Of which she was unworthy than a.
Alright due to her. She loved all who offer
ed her affection, and would solaco and advise
with any. She watched the progress of the
world with tlrcless eye and beating heart
and, anxious for the good Of the whole world
scorned TO take an insular vicw of any polit
ical question was moral question as well.
Mrs. Browning belonged 70 no particular
country the world was inscribed upon the
banner under which she fought. Wrong
was her enemy; against this she wrestled in
whatever part Of the globe 1t was to be found
HER INTEREST IN AMERICA
Nor was Mrs. Browning so much engross.
ed in the Italian regeneration that she had
no thought for other nations and for othe,
wrongs. Her interest in America was YER,
great.
"For poets lbear the word a.
Hafpoets even, still whole deniecruts
Oh, no, that we re dlsoyal 10 the high,
But loyal TO the low, aud cognizMu
OF the less scruiabv maj eses."
In Mrs. Brownings poem of "a Curse 70
a Nation" where she foretold the agony il
store for America, and which has fallen up
on us with the swiftness of lightning, sh,
was loath to raise her poets voice agains
us pleading:
"Por am bound by gratitude,
by love and blood,
To brothers OF mine across the sea-
Who stretch out kindly hands to men
And in one Of her last letters, addressed I,
an American friend who had reminded he
other nroDhesv and ofit nraean M f,,ll6lI,,on.