friends, but I believe
that I have made one,--Mr. Browning, the poet, who has been staying
with me during the past few days. It is impossible to speak without
enthusiasm of his open, generous nature, and his great ability and
knowledge. I had no idea that there was a perfectly sensible poet in
the world, entirely free from vanity, jealousy, or any other
littleness, and thinking no more of himself than if he were an
ordinary man. His great energy is very remarkable, as is his
determination to make the most of the remainder of life. Of personal
objects he seems to have none, except the education of his son, in
which I hope in some degree to help him."[9]

After returning to London, Browning writes to Tennyson, in thanks for a
book received from the Laureate:[10]

19, WARWICK CRESCENT, W., Oct. 10, 1865.

MY DEAR TENNYSON,--When I came back last year from my holiday I found
a gift from you, a book; this time I find only the blue and gold thing
which, such as it is, I send you, you are to take from me. I could not
even put in what I pleased but I have said all about it in the word or
two of preface, as also that I beg leave to stick the bunch in your
buttonhole. May I beg that Mrs. Tennyson will kindly remember me?

Ever Affectionately Yours,

ROBERT BROWNING.

Tennyson wrote in reply that the nosegay was very welcome. "I stick it in
my buttonhole ... and feel ----'s cork heels added to my boots," he added.

Volumes of selections from the poems of both Browning and his wife were
now being demanded for the "Golden Treasury"; and to Miss Blagden Browning
says further that he will certainly do the utmost to make the most of
himself before he dies, "for one reason that I may help Pen the better."

Browning complies with his publisher's request to prepare a new selection
of his wife's poems. "How I have done it, I can hardly say," he noted,
"but it is one dear delight that the work of her goes on more effectually
than ever--her books are more and more read,"--and a new edition of her
"Aurora Leigh" was exhausted within a few months.

The winter was a very full and engaging one. On one evening he dined at
the deanery of St. Paul's, Sir John Lubbock and Tennyson being also
guests, but the Stanleys, who were invited, were not present. At another
dinner the poets met, Tennyson recording: "Mr. Browning gave me an
affectionate greeting after all the