The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-08-31
The Two BrownIngs.


s'Lady Garaldines Courtship," was
written IN twelve days by the invalid.
1t contained several illusions to living
poets, and whose s'Belles and Pomegran-
ates' was referred to in these lines:
"Or from Browning some sPomegrsnates' which.
II cut .eep'y,down the middle
Show heart within blood-dnctured OF veined
humanity"
Pleased with this compliment the poet
called upon Elizabeth Barrett, in order
to have an opportunity of thanking her
personally. Fate oftentimes takes the
form of accident. The poetess was never
at home, save to few intimate friends,
and new servant who opened tho door
for Mr.. Browning, installing him for
one of these, unhesitatingly ushered him
into the invalid's room, where they met
for the first time. Previously, when she
had finished that magnificent poem,
ssThe Dead Pam" which teaches us
strange mysteries of melodies, that flow
fervent, free and pure, like great crys-
tai stream down the swift, sweet current
of sound, into the vast voiceful sea of
profound thought, Elizabeth Barrett
sent the manuscript to friend, in order
to have his criticism, who, in turn,
showed it to Robert Browning. The
poet was much impressed by it and
wrote letter to his friend full OF enthu-
siastic appreciation, which found its way
into Elizabeth Barrett's hands. This in
cident, no doubt, paved the way to q
friendship between them, which after
wards resulted in one of the happiest OF
unions. This part of her lifes story
reads more like fiction than fact, but fic-
ton was colorless beside such reality.
Mr.. Barrett refused his consent to his
daughters marriage. She was his ia
vorite; the object of his pride as
we'll as bis love; he it was who helped
her to form her mind and store it with
the riches it contained; he could not en-
dure the idea of severance. Altogether
the idea of her union was painful to him,
and from the day of her marriage to the
end of her life he refused to be reconciled
to her, notwithstanding her appeals to
his affection. However, she now loved
in her thirty-ninth year, and for the
Rrst time, and for conception Of the
great depth and sublime fervor OF this
new affection, which broke over her still
life and woke her to noble conception
o. humanity, to clearer vision of that
subtle souI-power which binds heart to
heart, we have only to turn to those
most beautiful vSonnets from the
Portuguese" In these we feel and see
that her heart has overAown from very
force of happiness, and has broken out
| in rapturous songs which chain us with
the unbeatable and unbroken spell OF
harmony, tremulous with all the glow
and fire of ardent and pure affection,
fresh as morning, sublime and sweet as
the direct aspirations of mind rapt and
overwhelmed by the first ecstasy OF vir-
| gin love, and full of music never before
equaled, never since excelled. Perhaps
there are no two lines in the English, OF
any other language, which with such
simplicity and force express 80 much az
these:
II yield the grave for thy sake and exchange
Ny near sweet view OF heaven for earth Will
thee"
And they help to show Ms and make nj
comprehend, as far a. we are capable
the new spirit which awoke in her. Two
years after her fret interview with Mr.
Browning, Elizabeth Barrett was literally
assisted from her couch and married to
the poet, and Immediately after the cere'
mony they departed for Italy. "Oui
plans were made up at the last, and, in
the utmost haste and agitation, precipi.
tated beyond all intention, she writes tc
. friend; and further adds: perhaps il
has struck You that woman might act
more generously than to repay a gener.
GUS attachment with such questionable
gift and possible burden as that Of I'M
certain health and broken spirits; tc
which can only say that have been
overcome in generosity as in all else,
though not without . long struggle in
this specific case; also there was the ex'
perience that all my maladies came from
without, and the hope that, il unprovok'
ed by English winters. they would cease
to come at all. The mildT sss Of the last
exceptional winter has left me different
creature, and the physicians helped me
to hope everything from Italy; 30 you set
j 10. 4 al endod - I1inslaula Mana zine