The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-26
MRS. BRowNING,s BELIEFS.
She Had Faith in Spiritualism and
Was UnfriendIy to George Eliot.

From New York Suns Review of Her Let
ters.'
1t is well known that Mrs Browning dur
ing the last years of her life was a believer
in spiritualism, including the phenomena
of table-rapping, etc. The editor of these
volumes does his best to excuse the aberra-
ton. His somewhat labored apology he be-
gins by reminding us that Mrs. Browning's
temperament had in it a decidedly mysti-
cal vein, which predisposed her to put faith
in any alleged communications between our
world and that of the spirits. Hence, when
number of persons professed to have had
such communications, she was not only
ready to listen to their claims, but was, by
temperament, inclined to accept them. The
immense vogue which SpiritualiSm had dur
ing the hfties tended to confirm her belief.
1T was easy to say and natural to think
that where there was so much smoke there
that what she believed she believed strong
ly. and with a perfect conviction that no
other view could be right Just as her faith
in Louis Napoleon survived the coup d etat
and also the treacherous peace of Villa
franco, so her belief in communication with
the spirit world was proof against any ex-
posture of fraud ON the part of the mediums
Not that she was guilty of the absurdities
which marked many Of the devotees of
spritualism. She had a great horror of sub
hitting herself to mesmeric influences. She
recognized that very many of the alleged
communications of the spirits were trivial,
perhaps false but to the belief that COM
munication did exist she adhered constant
ly. If the subject deserves more than a
passing mention in connection with the life
of Mrs. Browning, this is because ii has
been said, and apparently with authority,
that the only serious difference which
ever arose between Mr. Browning and his
wife referred to the subject of spiritual
ISM" 1t is certain that Mr. Browning did
not share his wife's belief in spritualism
a reference to "Sludge. the Medium" is
sufficient TO establish his position in the
matter. According to the editor of these
volumes. it is easy to make too much of the
supposed difference" It has, he assures
us, left no trace in such of Mrs. Brcwning's
letters as are now extant there is no sign
Id hon hot he of init
duced the slightest discord in the harmony
of their life. No doubt Mr. Browning felt
strongly as to the character of some of the
persons whether mediums or their devo-
tees, with whom his wife was brought into
contact. and he may have relieved his feel
ings by strong expressions OF his opinion
concerning them, but the editor repeats
that there is no reason to lay stress on this
as indicating any grave dissension between
In a letter dated Feb o. 1855, we find an
interesting reference to Florence Nightin-
gale and her philanthropic experiences in
the Crimea. After protesting that she hon
Ors Miss Nightingale from her heart, Mrs.
Browning goes on to tell her correspondent.
Mrs. jameson. that AT the same time |
confess myself to be at loss to see any
new position for the sex or the most imper-
feet solution of the 'WOman'S question in
this step Of hers If a movement at all. it is
retrograde, revival of old virtues Since
the siege of Troy, and earlier, we have had
princesses binding wounds with their hands;
1t is strictly the WOmanS part and men I'M
derStand II so. IS you Will perceive by the
general duneSlon ana appreciation on TINS
late occasion of the masculine dignites.
Every man is on his knees before ladies car
rying lint, calling them angelic shes,
whereas, if they stir an inch as thinkers
or artists from the beaten line Involving
more good to general humanity than is in
volved in Int, the very same men would
curse the impudence Of the very same wom-
en- and stop there. | can't see on what
ground you think you see here the least
gain TO the 'womans question, so called.
It's rather the contrary, to my mind, and
any way the women of England must give
the precedence to the soeurs de charlie.
who have magnificently won it in all mat
tiers Of this kind. For my own part (and
apart from the exceptional miseries of the
war; l acknowledge to you that ] do not
consider the best use TO which we can put
q gifted and accomplished woman is to
make her a hospital nurse. IL 1t is. why.
then. woe 10 US all who are artists. The
womans question is at an end The mems
noes carry 1t. For the future | hope you
viii know your place and keep clear Of
Raffaelle and criticism; and / shall expect
to hear Of you as an organizer of the Cruel
department in the hospital at Greenwich.
that is, If you have the luck TO percer and
distinguish yourself
We close this notice with a reproduction
of some references to George Eliot, the