The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-11-27

Leighton, that wonderful baby who
brought more sunshine and gladness into
the life of the poetess than there had ever
been before.
On the center table, lying cheek by jowi
with an old book on botany, given by Ma
pier TO Walter Savage Landor, lies the
sketch book of our hosts grandfather,
which shows on every page what a clever
artist he might have made had he been
properly taught.
One cartoon is particularly sprightly
and original and shows the indignation of
a buyer who disgustedly throws picture
back on the counter saying, surely this
humbly adds: "Yes. it is Ten-years.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's plain lit
tie desk, free from any ornamentatlon,
stands near the window as ii did IN Casa
Guido, and near it still stands the baby
chair that made the hours pass 50 pleas
antiy for her.
Its former occupant tenJerly hands US
her tiny editions of the Greek and Latin
classics. which still show her clear mar
ginal notes written in 50 fine hand that
they require remarkably good eyes to
decipher them.
On the shelves of the magnificent ebony
booKstand are the first editions of Rob
inson Crusoe" and of Paradise Lost"
which the poet always carried about with
him when he travelled, for he priced them
very much. and q book OH painting by
Laresse, on the fly leaf OF which IS
written: Read this book. as child,
with greater interest than any other. X.
b." A manuscript copy of 'Enoch Arden, !"
with tender messages from the author, is
here carefully slowed away together with
Dickens "Pen Pictures of Italy," enclos-
ing frindly note addressed '.TO Elizabeth
and Robert"
In peaceful relationship lie notes from
Lowell, Matthew Arnold, Carlyle, Ruskin
and others equally as well known, neatly
folded and arranged by the poet. On
one end of Browning's desk stands a
framed play bill of Macready's first appear
ance, IN May, 1887 when Helen Fawcett-
Lady Martin-Supported him In Straf-
ford, which brought great fame to the
author. In secret drawer OF this same
desk lies a pastel OF Elizabeth Barrett.
taken at 10 years of age-a Dright-eyed
happy child, gathering flowers in her white,
low-necked dress, while pet dog runs off
with her broad-brImmed hat, out across
the smooth green lawn.
Robert Barrett Browning has converted
little chapel. once used by the Rezzouico
Pope, into n memorial of his dlstn-
gushed mother. On the white and gold
walls is q copy of the verse that the Ital-
ian government ordered 10 be placed upon
Casa Guido, in Florence, TO the effect that
the fair poeteSs verses were link Of SYM
pathy between England and Italy.
A Venetian lamp is kept constantly
burning in this little nook, perfectly quiet
but for the noise of the tapping waters
without, and void OF any ornament but
the marble bust of the young Augustus.
of which she was SO fond.
Before leaving Rezzonico, we had the
pleasure of peeping into Mr.. Browning's
studio, whose walls are hung with many
OF his prize pictures exhibited at the Royal
Academy in London or the Paris Salon.
Near an immense statue of Atlas, by Aies-
sandro Fittorio-the Michael Angelo of
his age-hangs an engraving OF Mr..
Browning's first picture. showing the in-
terror of a Dutch work shop, where
brawny mechanic polishes the head of
Rubens upon a large brass plate, while the
sunset glow streaming in from little
window above the mans head gives
beautiful tone to the whole.
Carlyle was the first to see this work
when completed, and in his quiet Scotch
fashion said: Robert, that's fine work
man. for he has his pipe near him" This
picture was sold TO an American for an ex-
ceedingly good price.
The most striking picture in the collec-
ton is portrait of the poet Browning.
painted shortly before his last illness and
considered the best likeness ever made of
him. He is standing, with his face in pro-
file and his hands lightly but firmly
clasped in front of him. He wears snuff
colored tweed suit and brown cape-coat