1 November 1875 – 7 November 1875

Helen went to Carlyle's to-day at 2, to go on with his portrait. Browning came in. Lately returned from Normandy. Had read in the news- papers of C.'s being ill — not true : ' happy for your sake, and still more for my own ; I have often lamented not to have availed myself more of your company of late.' He reminded C. how, long ago, C. used to come to their house (at Camberwell) and ' talk Scotch ' to B.'s mother (who was a Scotchwoman). ' You told me the Scotch name for buns — cookies' C. said, ' I hear you have been bringing out several new Books rather lately. I always read your Books and find them well worth it, but I have not seen these.' B. — * I'm afraid of you in that way ! I'd sooner trust my body to you than my book.' C. — ' What is the last about .'' ' B. — ' It's called Aristophanes'' Apology. I felt in a manner bound to write it, so many blunders about Aristophanes afloat, even among the so-called learned.' C. praised B.'s translation from Euripides (Alcestis). ' The very best translation I ever read,' and re- commended him to do more. B. looked at the portrait and said, ' Very like.' C. passed my house about 4 to-day. I overtook him in the Fulham Road and walked with him to Lady Ashburton's door at Knightsbridge. He said, ' Browning in his young days wore a turn-down shirt collar with a ribbon for neck-tie, and a green coat. I first met him one evening at Leigh Hunt's, a modest youth, with a good strong face and a head of dark hair. He said little, but what he said was good.'