Norwich bulletin., 1922-04-06
FAMOUS MEN.
ROBERT BROWNING

The Brownings present practically the only instance in literature where the husband and wife gained an equal prominence. Robert Browning reached the good old age of seventy seven, with faculties unimpaired to the very end, while Elizabeth Browning only attained the age of fifty-five. The married life of these brilliant poets was singularly happy and their mu- tual influence is clearly seen in their verse. Both had attained fame before they were married, for when Elizabeth Barrett became Mrs. Browning she band was six years her junior.
 Browning began writing at very early age, and it is noted that by the time he was twelve he had produced enough poems to form a volume. As to precoity, Robert Browning was equaled by Elizabeth Barrett, who be- fore she was eleven years of age had composed an epic poem. "The Battle of Marathon" which was a remarka- ble composition for one of her age.
 Robert Browning continued to write until the year of his death. He was seyenty-one years of age when his book of narrative poems, under the title of "Jocoseria" appeared; Perish tahs Faneies' appeared a year later and at the age of seventy-fi five he wrote "Parleying With Certain People of Im- portance in Their Day. the characters l serving as mouthpieces for the poets i opinions on literary, artistic and philo- | sophical questions. In the same year he wrote "Asolando," which was pub i lished in London on the day of his death
 At the dime of his death Browning was living in Venice. The winter pre- vious to his death gave serious ap. i prehensions to his friends. One severe cold followed another, but he had madt light of them and went about his or. dinary avocations. His son had bough the ReZzonico palace, in Venice, ant thither went the poet, thinking tn mild air of the Adriatic would be in vigorating to him. The palace was t.
 be his last home. He reached Ven ice on November and was full o
 satisfaction at his sons new home Here the proofs of his last volume
 ''Asolanda,' reached him. The title
 derived from a fanciful word, who's
 invention he imputed to Queen Cor
 naro's secretary "asolare," to ito dis
 port in the open air, amuse oneself a
 random" For time the place scene
 beneficial to his his health. He me
 a physician at dinner and, half jok
 ingly, he held out his wrist to his nev
 acquaintance, who, on feeling his puls
 knew that his confidence was i'll found ed.
 Late in the month he returned fror his customary walk on the Lido wit . a cold, which speedily become bron
 chitis. On December 1 he consented t l see his sons doctor. The bronGhia } trouble was largely overcome, bu symptoms of heart failure followed
 He had looked forward to years mor of activity, but on the last evenin |. he was aware of his condition. Tha , very day. in London, "Asolando" wit it's strikingly appropriate "Epilogue was published.
 . A message came across the wires g l to it's very favorable reception, evi
 denced both by reviews and deman
 for copies of the book. The sick ma
 was able to receive the news and 1
 take pleasure in it. At 10 o'clock c the night of December 12, without : his sons words, pain or suffering
 other than that of weakness or wear
 ness,S he passed away.
 J When all was over the place of bI e rial had to be decided. Florence seen
 ed to his family most appropriat
 but it was finally arranged, throue 0 proposal of Dean Bradley that l r should be laid to rest in Westminst $ Abbey. On the last day of the yea
 amid a great and reverent assemblaI
 of Robert Browning's countryme with the spiritual presence of his vii
 suggested by the chanting of her beal e tiful stanzas, 'tHe Giveth His Below 'r Sleep Poets Corner in Westminst
 Abbey received one poet more.