Stowe in Her Own Time: A Biographical Chronicle of Her Life, Drawn from Recollections, Interviews, and Memoirs by Family, F

[Impressions of Stowe]

M [117] [Impressions of Stowe] Elizabeth Barrett Browning On her second trip to Europe in 1856–1857, Stowe visited a number of famous writers and people, including the poets Robert Browning (1812–1889) and Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861). When Stowe was touring Italy, she called on them at their home, Casa Guidi, in Florence. Barrett Browning supported a number of reform movements, including antislavery, and her poem “Runaway Slave at Pilgrim’s Point” had appeared in the Boston antislavery annual the Liberty Bell in 1848. She had been greatly impressed with Uncle Tom’s Cabin when she first read it in 1853. In a letter to her friend, Eliza Anne Harris Ogilvy, she called Stowe “a woman of remarkable largeness of mind & heart.”1 Although Barrett Browning did not admire Stowe’s later work, she enjoyed meeting her and their subsequent correspondence. In the following letters and fragments of letters written to her friends Mary Russell Mitford, Anna Brownell Jameson, and Euphrasia Fanny Haworth, Barrett Browning describes her impressions of Stowe, her gratitude for their friendship, and the consolation Stowe provided her after the death of her sister, Henrietta. To Miss Mitford Florence: March 15, [1853]. [. . .] You don’t say a word to me of Mrs. Beecher Stowe. How did her book impress you? No woman ever had such a success, such a fame; no man ever had, in a single book. For my part I rejoice greatly in it. It is an individual glory full of healthy influence and benediction to the world. To Mrs. Jameson Florence: April 12, [1853]. [. . . ] Not read Mrs. Stowe’s book! But you must. Her book is quite a sign of the times, and has otherwise and intrinsically considerable power. For myself, I rejoice in the success, both as a woman and a human being. Oh, and is it possible that you think a woman has no business with questions stowe in her own time [118] Elizabeth Barrett Browning, undated. Library of Congress , Prints and Photographs Division. like the question of slavery? Then she had better use a pen no more. She had better subside into slavery and concubinage herself, I think, as in the times of old, shut herself up with the Penelopes in the “women’s apartment ,” and take no rank among thinkers and speakers. Certainly you are not in earnest in these things. A difficult question—yes! All virtue is difficult . England found it difficult. France found it difficult. But we did not make ourselves an armchair of our sins. As for America, I honor America in much; but I would not be an American for the world while she wears that shameful scar upon her brow. The address of the New President exasperates me. Observe, I am an abolitionist, not to the fanatical degree, Elizabeth Barrett Browning [119] because I hold that compensation should be given by the North to the South, as in England. The States should unite in buying off this national disgrace. [. . .] Ba. To Miss Mitford Florence: December 11, 1854. [. . .] Do you hear from Mr. Kingsley? and, if so, how is his wife? I am reading now Mrs. Stowe’s “Sunny Memories,” and like the naturalness and simplicity of the book much, in spite of the provincialism of the tone of mind and education, and the really wretched writing. It’s quite wonderful that a woman who has written a book to make the world ring should write so abominably. [. . .] Your ever affectionate Ba. To Mrs. Jameson Florence: April 9 [1857]. [. . . ] Mrs. Stowe has just arrived, and called here yesterday and this morning , when Robert took her to see the salvators at the end of our street. I like her better than I thought I should—that is, I find more refinement in her voice and manner—no rampant Americanisms. Very simple and gentle, with a sweet voice; undesirous of shining or poser-ing, so it seems to me. Never did lioness roar more softly (that is quite certain); and the temptations of a sudden enormous popularity should be estimated, in doing her full justice. She is nice-looking, too; and there’s something strong and copious and characteristic in her dusky wavy hair. For the rest, the brow has not very large capacity; and the mouth wants something both in frankness and sensitiveness, I should say. But what can one see in a morning visit? I must wait for another opportunity. She spends to-morrow evening with us, and talks of remaining in Florence till the...