and winding up with such grave, good hopes as I share with you, and few at this time, though more than in old times, look to."
Mr. Browning writes:
"19 Warwick Crescent, Nov. 16, 1876.
"I have read the poem with just the result I expected; no surprise at finding it very beautiful and touching . . . . it is curious to find from what you have experienced, and in this case anticipate, that, being abundantly intelligible, and having a subject adapted to the sympathy of any one with sympathy to bestow, it is likely to lie in your sister's drawer because no magazine cares to publish it. What more does the dear, intelligent public want?"[1]
In 1894 the poem was made known to Mr. Gladstone through Mrs. Drew, who replied, "My father wishes me to thank you for having sent him the little memorial poem, which he has read, and which has deeply impressed him. He
- ↑ The poem was offered to the distinguished editor of a leading Review, and at once sent back with the usual curt form of rejection.
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