begin one day,--may it be
soon!--with your hand in mine from the beginning." Miss Barrett, referring
to the Earl of Compton, who is reported from Rome as having achieved some
prominence as a painter, proceeds to say:

"People in general would rather be Marquises than Roman artists,
consulting their own wishes and inclination. I, for my part, ever
since I could speak my mind and knew it, always openly and inwardly
preferred the glory of those who live by their heads, to the opposite
glory of those who carry other people's arms. So much for glory.
Happiness goes the same way to my fancy. There is something
fascinating to me in that Bohemian way of living.... All the
conventions of society cut so close and thin, that the soul can see
through.... Beyond, above. It is real life as you say ... whether at
Rome or elsewhere. I am very glad that you like simplicity in habits
of life--it has both reasonableness and sanctity.... I am glad that
you--who have had temptation enough, more than enough, I am sure, in
every form--have lived in the midst of this London of ours, close to
the great social vortex, yet have kept so safe, and free, and calm,
and pure from the besetting sins of our society."

Browning, in one letter, alluding to the prevailing stupidity of the idea
that genius and domestic happiness are incompatible, says: "We will live
the real answer, will we not?... A man of genius mistreats his wife; well,
take away the genius,--does he so instantly improve?"

Of the attitude of his family toward their marriage he writes:

"My family all love you, dearest,--you cannot conceive my father's and
mother's childlike faith in goodness--and my sister is very
high-spirited, and quick of apprehension--so as to seize the true
point of the case at once.... Last night I asked my father, who was
absorbed over some old book, if he should not be glad to see his new
daughter?--to which he, starting, replied, 'Indeed I shall'; with such
a fervor as to make my mother laugh,--not abated by his adding: 'And
how I should be glad of her seeing Sarianna!'"

And she writes:

"Shall we go to Greece, then, Robert? Let us, if you like it. When we
have used a little the charm of your Italy,... I should like to see
Athens with my living eyes.... Athens was in all the dreams I dreamed,
before I knew you. Why should we not see Athens, and Eg