The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-11-28
THE DECEMBER MAGAZINES.
"SORIBNRR,SO

''The Hoosac Tunnel illustrated, by Wash
ington GLADDEN.; ''Natasqua, chap. iv.-vi.,
by Rebecca Harding Davis; 1.-The Abbot
Papbnutius," by II. H.; ''On to Berlin, by
William Wells; Lifted" by Mary E. Dodge;
"A Peep Behind the Scenes" by Samuel
Hopkins; ga Day with the Brownings at Pra-
tolino, by Elizabeth G.. Kinney; The Last
Letter, by Mary L. Ritter; "Hudah the
Help-A Thanksgiving Love Story" by Ed
ward Eggleston; ''Wilfrid Cumbermede
Autobiographical Story chap. vi.-ix., by
George Macdonald; "ropics of the Time;"
''The Old Cabinet" Books and Authors
Abroad "Books and Authors at Home"
'Etchings," illustrated: Thanksgiving Eve
An Honest Fairy Story" by L.; Cloves
Young Dream; A. d. 1S70," by Geo. A.
Baker, Jr.
From ga Day with the Brownings at Pra-
tolino, by Elizabeth c. Kinney, we take the
following
1t was my privilege to live for years near
by, and in intimate intercourse with, the
divinity of Casa Guidi-her whose genius
has immo1talized the walls as we'll as the
windows Of that antique palace; for tablet
has been Inserted by the grateful Italians,
whose cause she so eloquently espoused, in
the grand entrance WALL recording her name,
deeds and long residence there, with the tri-
butte of their thanks and love. Yet had not
known the Brownings personally, in the
more intimate sense of workmanship, till
that blessed day when, in the balm of June
morning, we started together in an open car
riage for Pratolino, taking with us a man
servant who carried the basket containing
our picnic dinner, Of which only four were to
partake. A larger party would have spoiled
tue whole. A moro timid nature was never
joined to a bolder spirit than in Elizabeth
Browning. She fairly shrunk from observa-
ton, and could not endure mixed company,
though in her heart kind and sympathetic
with ell. Her timidity was both instructive
and acquired having been an invalid and
student from her youth up, she had lived
almost the life of a recluse; thus it shocked
her to be brought face to face with inquisitive
strangers, or the world in general. On this
very account, and because her health SO
rarely permitted her to make excursions of
any kind, she enjoyed, as the accustomed do
not, and the unappreciative cannot, any un-
wonted liberty In natures realm, and doubly
with chosen few sympathetic companions,
to whom she could freely express her thoughts
and emotions. Like most finely strung
beings, she spoke through a changeful coun-
tenance every change of feeling.
Never shall [ forget how her face-the
plain mortal beautiful in its immortal express
sion-lJghted up to greet us as our carriage
drove into the porte cOchere of Casa Guidi on
that memorable morning. Simple as q child,
the honest enjoyment which she anticipated
in our excursion beamed through her coun-
tenance. Those large dark, dreamy eyes
usually like deep wells of thought-sparkled
with delight; while her adored Roberts gener-
GUS capacity for pleasure showed even hap
pier front than ordinary, rejecting her Joy, as
we turned into the street and out at the city
gate towards Patrolino. The woman of usu-
ely many thoughts and few words grew
talker under the stimulus Of open country
air; while her husband, usually talkative, be-
came the silent enjoyer of her vocal gladness,
pleasure too rarely afforded him to be inter
rupted. We, of choice, only talked enough
to keep our Smpr0CiS0trice in the humor Of
utteTance. Every tree, every wayside flower,
every uncommon stone or passing cloud gave
fresh impulse to her spirit, which verify seemed
like an enfranchised birds.
Mr.. Barrett the father of Elizabeth, though
himself superior man, and capable of appre-
eating his gifted child, was, in some sense,
an eccentric. He had an unaccountable
aversion to the idea of marrying off
any of his children. Having wealth,
a sumptuous house, and being a
widower, he had somehow made
up his mind to keep them all about him.
Elizabeth, the eldest, had been an invalid
from her early youth, owing partly to the
great shock which her exquisite nervous or
ganization received when she saw on idolized
brother drown before her eyes, without hav-
ing the power to save him. Grief at this
event naturally threw her much within her.
self, while shattered health kept her confined
for years to her room. There she thought,
studied, wrote; and from her slck-chamber
went forth the winged inspirations of her
genius. These came into the heart of Robert
Browning, and nesting there, awakened
love for ''The Great Unknown" and he
sought her out Finding that the in
valid did not receive strangers he wrote hel
letter, intense with his desire to see her
She reluctantly consented to an interview
the nurse, in whose presence only could hC
worshipped But the golden opportunity
any save the presence of the real o
Browning poured his impassioned sou
into hers; though his tale of love scenes
only an enthusiasts dream. Infirmity hat
hitherto so hedged her about, that she deeme,
herself forever protected from all assaults o
love. Indeed she felt only injured that fel
low poet should take advantage, as it were, o
her Indulgence in granting him an interview
and requested him to withdraw from her pre-
sence, not attempting any response to his pro
pcsal, which she could not believe in earnest
OF course he withdrew from her sight, but no
to withdraw the offer of his heart and hand q
c0ntTdiTe to repeat it by letter, and in sucl
wise as 10 convince her how ''dead in earn
est" he was Her own heart, touched a
ready when she knew it not, was this tim
fain TO listen, be convinced, and overcome
But here began the tug Of war; AS fills
-ls-sI 4 -. EoA e Al.