The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-06-18
Thursday Morning. June II. 1863.
From the Boston Commonwealth.
A Visit to Robert Browning.
BY NJ. d. CONWAY.

Entering handsome but unostentatious
residence on Warwick Crescent, in the envir-
ons of London, l was shown into a very pleas
ant room. Over the mantel-picce was large
and very old Italian picture, such as might
have been taken from some old church altar,
which seemed to be representation of the
Father, Son and Holy Ghost. quaint piece
of ancient tapestry adorned one side of the
room, and picture of Christ from one of the
old masters was on another wall. could not
help noticing upon the table, cards of invita-
tion from the Russels, Palnerstons, aud many
others of the nobility, indicating that there
has been change with the British aristocra-
cy i'm regard to the literati. Formerly litera-
ry distinction was not sufficient TO assure the
highest social position in this country. There
Is no doubt that the aristocracy will gain much
by the change, but whether the literature of
the country will is more doubtful.
Presently In came the poet, his face shining
with welcome 10 my person to those friends
of his in America who had given me letters to
him. 1t was rather gloomy day without,
but his countenance bore with it the light and
warmth of sun. There have been few. per-
sons whose writings / have loved, whom 1
have found personally equal to them; and am
always ready for disappointment in this d.
rection. But there was none here. Never
saw / so fine brow. When saw it l seemed
W hcdi \ iPpo eiuSiuS oNCi d5aiu.
"A king lived long ago,
In the morning of the world,
When the earth was higher heaven than now;
And the kings locks cured,
Disparting Ger forehead full
As the milk-white space 'twixt horn and horn
OF some sacrificial bull
Only calm as q babe new-bop."
This was that royal forehead! If Mr. Car
lyle's millennium should come, now, when
real kings shall be crowned, should see all
those crown jewels which CLEAN in the tower
of London shining on that brow-if they did
not lose their luster in this magnificent ex-
panse.
Scarcely were the greetings over when Mr.
Browning introduced the subject of our "war
with slavery,"-for he appreciates it as such.
All, how l wish that the Round Table Knights
oil Freedom in America could have been pres
ent to see the fervor and hear the eloquence
with which he uttered his sympathy with our
cause. and the almost passionate vehemence
with which he denounced the Southern SYM
PATH zers in England He holds our cause to
be sacred beyond every other now undergoing
its ordeal; and have a mot very definite. to
be sure) hope that he will soon utter his SYM
pathy from his own throne Of poetry.
He spoke with much feeling of the many
tokens of friendship and interest in his poetry
which he had received from America, and still
more earnestly of that which had greeted his
Wfic pUtinS.
Whilst sat there, in came his son-the boy
whose face, surrounded by golden curls, al
most like girls, had been familiar to me
through some photographs / had seen in
America. The curls are all cut off now, and
the boy has grown to be quite large for his
age fourteen years.. He was quite manly
and is fortunate enough to inherit his fathers
grand forehead and brow. "Ths gentleman, .
said his father pointing to me, "is from Amer
lea, aud is on the Northern side" "That's
my side" cried out the boy, extending his
hand. Whereupon the elder Browning looked
around with some pride.
Browning goes very little into London So
ciety, and stays at home great deal. He is
fond of visiting Lewes, author of the "Life OF
Goeth he" and his wife the author of adam
Bede, who, on account of their irregular
marriage, are not sin society" But Brown
ing is eagerly sought for in all circles, and by
all regarded as brilliant in presence and con
versation. His manners are direct and simple
his voice strong and flexible, and there is from
him each moment a current of health and
magnetism. / felt satisfied by my visit as II
had just had my thirst assuaged at cool and
crystal fountain.