The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-26

1
". !. Henderson,.
THE BROwNINGs.
Mr.. and Mrs. Browning and their lit
tie sons passage through Paris twice
year was among the interesting incl
dents of my childhood. I remember
watching Mr.. Browning carrying his
fragile wife in his strong arms up the
flights Of stairs that led to our apart
meuts. seem still TO see the limpid
brilliancy Of Mrs. BrowniDg's eyes, soft
shining between the dusky abundance
of her ringlets falling on either side OF
her delicate face. She was full Of ten
der sweetness toward children, and her
little son was the idol of her heart. Ny
mother has often told me how, on
the memorable evening when first she
met the Bfownings, Mrs. Browning led
her to the side Of the crib where her
baby slept, and, shading the candle
with her almost transparent hand, she
watched with a glance Of scrutinizing
tenderness the effect upon the guest OF
this sight of her sleeping "Llue-eyed
Florentiue" Perhaps the incident l
remember most clearly 10 my childhood
connected with Mr, Browning is sitting
on my mothers knee and listening to
him playing for her the national airs Of
various peoples. and tracing IN the
spirit Of their melodies the characters
tics Of the nations to which they be-
longed.
The length and fidelity of his friend
ships was one Of the strongest charac-
teristics Of Mr.. Browning. New friends
gathered around him, but the old
friends remained, death only, as a rule,
sundering the tie between that loyal
heart and those whom it loved. Such
friendship existed between him and
my mother.
Mr. Browning's father and sister
came to live in Paris, and the old mans
simplicity and love Of children soon
endeared him to US little ones. lie
WAS erudile, simple and most loyable.
lie was fond Of children, and children
repaid his tenderness with interest.
He was genuine artist,
aud bis sketches Of country
folk drinking and talking together are
admirable for their animation and
characterization These drawings were
often accompanied by written CONVEX
sations. Of which the subject was specu-
lation concerning the arrival Of some
mysterious stranger in the village, or
the endeayer to solve the riddle Of some
crime, every character dramaticallye x-
pressing its view on the subject. It is
singular to recognize the same interest
inspiring The Ring and the Book a
beautiful map. illustrating the route Of
Christian from the city of Destruction to
Beulah Hill in the Pilgrim 5 Progress,
is still one of our precious possessions.
After his wife 5 death, Mr. Browning
settled in London. and the education OF
his son became mis- absorbing interest.
The house IN Warwick Crescent vas
permeatod with the spiritual presence
of the wife, who had gone before. The
drawing room was, as FAR as might be,
the reproduction Of the drawing-room
of the Casa Guide. The same antique
Italian furniture, the carved chairs and
sofas covered with green velvet, the
same rare tapestries that had hung IN
the Italian room. tbs busts in white
marble, by Dir. Storey, Of Mr..
and Mrs. Browning aud their
son in his childhood. 10
the little study downstairs were the
dearer relics Of the small table at which
she had worked; Of the copies Of Eurip-
ides in Greek which had belonged TO
her in her studious girlhood, and which
were annotated in her sensitive hand.
writing. Upstairs, in DIR. Browning
bedroom, hung a series Of portraits OF
that beloved wife; one little girl play
ing with her dog; another Of her as
Young girl; Talfourd's sketch of her
the sketch Of her tomb at Florence; the
photograph Of the inscription put up by
the Floreutines over the Intel OF the
door of the Casa Guide.-London Queen