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BROWNING, Robert (1812-1889). Poet. Good Autograph Letter Signed to [Barbara] Lyall, 1 page 8vo with integral blank (laid down) and original envelope, Palazzo Giustiniani-Recanati [Venice], 10 October 1883. Addressed to Miss Lyall at the Palazzo Civrano in Venice. An note written on the mount gives the background: 'to Mrs. R. Webb (née Barbara Lyell) who had written to ask his judgment of a poem (Retrospection) written by her brother Sir Alfred, which was afterward published.' '... I honestly think it very good indeed, a striking incident worthily commemorated and adequately rendered, for I assume that the incident is true. I see no other defects than the trifling ones of a bad rhyme or two ("gleaming - dream in" - "quarter - water"), which defects I should not mention were there anything greater to observe upon: besides, correction is easy. ...'Sir Alfred Lyall (1835-1911, Administrator in India and writer) produced several works of prose and poetry following his retirement from the Indian service. No letters to this correspondent are listed in The Brownings' Correspondence, a Checklist, ed. Kelley & Hudson, 1978. [No: 24853]
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