New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-08-18
ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING
Fro~ he Atlantic Monthly for September.
MRS BROWNING's LIFE IN FLORENCE.


From their weddingday Mrs. Browning seemed to
be endowed with now life. Her health visibly I'M
proved, and she was enabled to make excursions IN
England prior to her departure for the land OF nsr
adoption, Italy where she found second ana deaIer
home. For nearly fifteen years Florence ana tne
Brownings bad been one in the thoughts Of many Eng
lish and Americans; and Casa Guidi, which has been
immortalized by Mrs. BrowniDgs genius VIII % as gear
to the Anglo Saxon traveller a. Millions tiorentlne
residence has been heretofore Those VINO now r.,
upon the dark ceo the old palace and greve 70 think
that those windows from which spirit face witnessed
two Italian revolutions, and those large
rooms where spinthand translated the great naa "
humanity In "Aurors Leigh" are hereafter to DO the
passing homes of the thoughtless or unsympathnng;
Those who have known Casa Guidi az 1t was eouio
hardly enter the loved rooms now and speak above
whisper. They who have been SO favored can never
forget the square anteroom with it's great picture ana
piano-forte, at which the boy Browning passed many
hourthe little diningroom covered with tapestry
and whore hung medali0nsof Tennysop, Carlyle ana
Robert Browning-the long room filled with plaster
casts and studies, which was MIR. Brcwnings retreat
land, dearest Of gil, the large drawingroom where
she always sat. 1t opens upon balcony filled with
plants and looks out upon the old irongay church Of
Santa Felice There was something about this room
that seemed to make 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 bookcases Of specimens Of Floren
time carving selected by Mr. Browning were trimming
over with wise-lookiDg books. Tables were covered
with gayly bound volumes, the gifts of brother
authors. Dantes great profile cast Of Keafss face
and brow taken after death pen-and;Ink sketch Of
Brownings good friend and relative little paintings Of
the boy Browning all attracted the eye In turn and
gave rise to thousand musings. quaint mirror,
easy chairs and sofes, and hundred nothings, that
ind stoh Ia churf ma
this room But the glory Of all and that which sane
tilted all was seated In low chair 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
Hers was not the beauty Of features it was the lofe
beauty of expression. Her slight figure seemed hardly
largo enough to contain the great heart that beat 30
ferveny Within and the soul that expanded more and
more as year gave place to another II was diff
cult to believe that such fairy hand could pen thoughts
Of such ponderous weight or that such "still small
voice" could utter them with equal force. But it was
Mrs. Brownings face upon which one loved TO gaze
that face and head which almost lost themselves In the
thick curs of her dark brown hair. That jealous hair
could not hide the broad fair forehead, "royal with
tho TRUTH" as smooth az any girls and
"Too large for wreath Of modern won't"
Her large brown eyes were beautiful, and were in
truth the windows Of her soul. They combined the
condngness Of child with the poetpssson Of heart
and Of intelect and in gazing into them it was easy TO
was her motive power and in her eyes was the refcc
ton Of this higher light.
"Ana her smile It seemed half holy.
As II drawn from thoughts more fx
Than common Jestinss arc"
HER CHARACTER.
Mrs. Brownings character was weli-nigh perfect.
PATIENT In long suffering she spoke of herself
except when the subject wac forced upon her by others
and then with complaint. She ludged not, saving
when great principles were imperiled, and then was
ready 70 sacrifice hersef upon the altar OF Right. For
giving as .he wished to be forgiven none approached
her with msgiviDgs, knowing her magnanimity. She
was ever ready to accord sympathy to all, taking an
earnest interest in the most insgnlhcant and 30 hum
bic n her greatness that her friends looked upon her
az divinity among women. Thoughtful in the small
est things for Others she seemed to give little thought
10 herself and believing in universal goodness her
nature was free from WORLDLY suspicious. The
As. to see merit, she was the last TO censure
faults, and gave the prsiss that abe Jeh with a
generous hand. No one 70 heartily rejoiced at the
success OF others, no one was so modest IN her own
triumph., which che looked upon more as favor of
which she was unworthy than as right due TO her;
She loved all who offered her affection, and would
soace and advise with any. She watched the progress
Of the world with treess eye and beating heart and
anxious for the good Of tie chole world scorned TO
take an insular view Of any political question. With
her political question was moral question as well.
Mrs browning belonged to 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 IL was TO be
found.
HER INTEREST IN AMERICA.
Nor was Mrs Browning go much engroesed in the
Italian regeneration that she had no thought for other
naions and for other wrongs. Her interest In Amer
lea wss very great,
"For poets tbesr the wordD,
Oh not that re disloysl to the hi5h,
But loyal to tn. low, and cogAiLsns
OF the less scrutsble mEjesties"
In Mrs. Browping's poem Of "a Curss for Nation"
here she foreod the agony in store for America and
which has fallen upon Us with the swiitness OF light
ming she was loath to raise her poets voice against
"For am bound X gratitude
To brothers Of mine across the ses,
Who stretch out kindly hands TO me-"
And in one of her last letters addressed TO Amer
lean friend who had reminded her OF her prophecy and
of It's present ulfllment she replied, Never say that
| have cursed your country. i only declared tie
con,soneHce of tie eel in her, and which has since
developed itself in thunder and flame. feel with
more pain than many Americans 90 the sorrow OF this
transition time; but do know that IL Is transition,
that II is crisis aud that you will come out Of the fire
pnrified stainless, having had the angel Of great
cause walking with you in the furnace" Are not
such burning, hopeful words, irem sucn 9 source,
worthy OF the grateful memory OF the Americans
Our cause has lost ardent supporter in Mrs. Brown
inc. and did we dare rebel against Gods will, we
should g.ieve deeply that she was not permitted to
alorify the Right in America as she has glOTed il in
7taiy. Among the last things that she read were
No,lsv,s letters on the Z" American Crisis" and
the writer win ever hold in. dear memory the
ali but final conversation had with Mrs. Browning, In
which these letters were discussed and warmly APP
nroved In reference 70 the attitude taken oy foreign
pa,i,ns With regard to America, she said,-"Wby do
Won heed what Others say3 You arc strong, and can
do wtbou, sympathy; and VIXEN you have triumphed
your glory will be the greater. Mis, browInpgs
sm,s that now sh, is no longer of EARTH they vill
love bsr the more COR her sympathy in tue cause which