The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-01-06
Elizabeth BlRREr['ri' DROWNING

Elizabeth BARRETT DROWNING.
iii q 4Hi3i9 Gii7r---=yp5 aligsa Isl
BY,MAE. ocTAvIA wALToxLEsvERr.
t8m1D a. :sTs 5s------- s-s5:8sd X
o. "Ofall the fair6st cities Of the earth
there is none 80 fair as FLORENCE scared,
within, without, all is enchantment. his
the past contending with the present, and
in turn, EACH has the mastsry."lJ0 Is ii
iFMy visit to Florence was d bouquet OF
delights, andits crowning flower was the
acquaintance IL gave mic with Mr.. Brown
ing. hipd 10 aese3a a2yi8 7o'Isq b9
We were brought tcaar rapport BY a Kind
~ letter from one of her dearest friends
and, thus presented, we were received in
the most cordial manner, and were often
'iprlguests!i' Years Of trial, care and sor
row have never dimmed The bright remem-
brance OF those evenings passed. ut Casa
Gnidi. seated by the windows of that his
toric DWELLING Her poems had charmed
me in my home, by rthc shores Of the
Mexican Sea-" for who can read them and
not feel the heart bounding with warm en-
otion? Like the sibyl's leaves of fate.
they seem the record Of our own experience,
the history of our own, joys and sorrows,
our aspiratiOns aud our struggles. 4. AL
though my admiration of Mrs. Browning
as an author was very enthusiastic, it was
neyers until listening TO-. her conversation,
that realized how truly she was great and
gloriously gifted, and how august was the
heroism and power. of will which had soar
ed above the anguish of constant suffering.
Most touchiDgly she referred to the seven
long yenrs Of her invalid life, which had
been the result of terrible grief, intense
and overwhelming. For time it had
crushed her to earth. but the sweet conso-
lations ola pure religion rescued her from,
despair, and gavo her resignation and snb-
mission. Never, in abiding to those sew
'cn grief-lndened years, did she utter COM
plant of their bittern sss. although she was
berelt Of all intercourse with relatives and
friends for months ct time, and frequent
deprived Of the light of day, in conse-
qucnce of an affection Of the eyes, induced
by incessant reading and writing, yet. even
under this affection, she never .rep:ned,
neither was she victim of Emit, for imag-
nation, the ally Of genius, was always her
companion, filling the gloom with its beau
tlfal creations. Many Of her noblest po-
ems, which were the pride of her compa-
triots, and the delight of multitudes beyond
the. Atlantic, were written during this long
Imprisonment, while she was as securely a
captive as Silvio Pellico in his dungeon
for pam is an memorable jailer. from whom
there is no escape. She was cminently
|,charming in lteie-tz-tete conversation, never
extremely animated. but always earnest
gentle, and kind in manner. Her, remarks
were often full Of quiet humor, but no sa
tire was ever mingled with them She was
as wonderful for her sweetness of temper
as she was for her. learning; and, besides
she had great talent as listener, and bel
large, magnetic eyes, seemed to possess tn.
power Of calling forth the expression Of al
that was hest and noblest in the minds o
those who answered her pleasant question
ings. 1t was impossible to dwell upon tn
itriyialities of fashionable society or tn,
gossip, of the day, in her presence. 1'h'
good qualities Of her friends were often be-
favorite, themes Her spoken words glow
cd with the same light from the soul which
is manifested in all her writings, Her Low,
! Of natural scenery was. as great as her ap
probation of the beautiful in art, and sh,
fdelishted in descriptions Of Glands beyont
the sea" especially Of tropical regions.
AS Hooked upon this fairy-iike creature
50 eight and delicate 10 form, snd listenet
to ber eloquent language, she seemed to
me gcy roa ,sTir9 ig'hsa DE i9a Ia
"a soul of fire, enshrincd in a she'll Of
H. p.yip>S ;uag 81 1stit si; GO ni.H.-S p
It was q rare privilege to have heard her
speak Of the blessing that gift of poetry
which had created for her an ideal world
wherein she lived as though in another
sphere. Oh! that choice and wondrous
gift, which had stolen away the pangs Of
suffering, and lighted up the deep gloom Of
the tdarkened chamber! How delightful it
was to hear her repeat those words which
had 30 charmed me in her sonnets y ~
II live, with visions for my company,
Instead of mon and women, years ago,
Aud found them gentle mates, nor thought
to know '2 A' 8
Aswceter music than they played to me-
&, The equisite poems written during those
seven griecladened .years thrilled many
heurts, but. none SO intensely as that oil
Robert Browning, q poet of1rare merit
himself lie read these outpouring Of her
gifted mind, and profoundly admired them
fIe resolved to make the acquaintance oil
Elizabeth Barrett, but her physician had
forbidden her to receive any visitors, as her
health was too feeble for the excitement
OF society. For months he entreated to see