An editor can generally serve his readers best by remaining in the background; but he is allowed one moment for the expression of his personal feelings, when he thanks those who have assisted him in his work. In the present case there are many to whom it is a pleasure to offer such thanks. In the first place, I have to thank Mr. R. Barrett Browning and Miss Browning most cordially for having accepted the proposal of the publishers (Messrs. Smith, Elder & Co., to whom likewise my gratitude is due) to put so pleasant and congenial a task into my hands. Mr. Browning has also contributed a number of suggestions and corrections while the sheets have been passing through the press. I have also to thank those who have been kind enough to offer letters in their possession for inclusion in these volumes: Lady Alwyne Compton for the letters to Mr. Westwood; Mrs. Arthur Severn for the letters to Mr. Ruskin; Mr. G.L. Craik for the letters to Miss Mulock; Mrs. Commeline for the letters to Miss Commeline; Mr. T.J. Wise for the letters to Mr. Cornelius Mathews; Mr. C. Aldrich for the letter to Mrs. Kinney; Col. T.W. Higginson for a letter to Miss Channing; and the Rev. G. Bainton for a letter to Mr. Kenyon. It has not been possible to print all the letters which have been thus offered; but this does not diminish the kindness of the lenders, nor the gratitude of the editor. Finally, I should wish to offer my sincere thanks to Lady Edmond Fitzmaurice for much assistance and advice in the selection and revision of the letters; a labour which her friendship with Mr. Browning towards the close of his life has prompted her to bestow most freely and fully upon this memorial of his wife. F.G.K. _July 1897_. CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME CHAPTER I 1806-1835 Birth--Hope End--Early Poems--Sidmouth--'Prometheus' CHAPTER II 1835-1841 London--Magazine Poems--'The Seraphim and other Poems'--Torquay--Death of Edward Barrett--Return to London CHAPTER III 1841-1843 Wimpole Street--'The Greek Christian Poets'--'The English Poets'--'The New Spirit of the Age'--Miscellaneous Letters CHAPTER IV 1844-1846 The 'Poems' of 1844--Miss Martineau and Mesmerism--Pro-posed Journey to Italy CHAPTER V 1846-1849 Friendship with Robert Browning--Love and Marriage--Paris and Pisa--Florence--Vallombrosa--Casa Guidi--Italian Politics in 1848 CHAPTER VI 1849-1851 Birth of a Son--Death of Mrs. Browning, senior--Bagni di Lucca--New Edition of Poems--Siena--Florentine Life PORTRAIT OF ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING. _Frontispiece_ CASA GUIDI THE LETTERS OF ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING CHAPTER I 1806-1835