Between her first meeting with Browning and her marriage, she had unknown to him, written the sonnets which are the most exquisite outpouring of love the world has read. It was not until early in 1847 that she first showed them to him, who probably stood alone in the world's history as the inspiration of such glorious verse; and it was not until 1850 that she permitted them to be published under the title of Sonnets from the Portuguese. In that year it will be remembered William Wordsworth died. At his death it was proposed by the chief literary organ of this country, The Athenæum, that the Laureateship should be offered to Mrs. Browning. It was a coincidence that over fifty years later, when Tennyson died, a large section of the Press was of opinion that in the reign of a woman Sovereign it would be fitting that a woman poet should be made Laureate ; and that none would give greater distinction to that office than Mrs. Wilfred Meynell, who could not only claim mental affinity but kinship with Elizabeth Barrett Browning. This opportunity of giving new interest to an ancient post was neglected.

Before her marriage the doctors had advised Miss Barrett to spend the winter in Italy, but her father was unwilling to consent. In the clear air, in the joyous sunshine of that country, surrounded by beauty and vivified by her husband's love, health and a measure of strength were given to her. And loving

that land, the greater part of her remaining days were spent there, where her boy was born to her; where she wrote some of her finest poems; and where in Florence June 30, 1861-"God took her to Himself," as her husband wrote, "as you would lift a sleeping child from a dark, uneasy bed into your arms and light."

CHAPTER XI

Women novelists of the period-Lady Stepney's amazing ignorance - Lady Chatterton-Lady Georgiana Fullerton praised by Gladstone-Mrs. Jameson the friend of the Brownings-Mrs. S. C. Hall's Irish stories-Catherine Gore, novelist, song-writer and dramatist-Lady Morgan, the child of a strolling player-Settles in the new quarter of Belgrave Square-Receives the celebrities of the day-The study of life a profound philosophyHarriet Martineau's brave struggle-Takes rooms in Conduit Street-Writes on political economySupplied by members of Parliament with Bluebooks-Hard-worked life-Meets Lord Brougham, Sydney Smith, Henry Hallam-Refuses invitation to Lord Lansdowne-Edwin Landseer an agreeable companion-Lord Lytton and Thomas CampbellVoyage to America and its impressions-Loses her health and settles in the Lake district-William Wordsworth's advice-Her last words-Charlotte Brontë and her sisters-Writing poems and novels Something like the chill of despair-Return of the Professor-Jane Eyre is read by Mr. Williams-Is accepted by Messrs. Smith ElderVarious surmises regarding the brothers BellHer father's reception of Jane Eyre-Shy and unknown she arrives in London-Fresh troubles at home-Writes to Harriet Martineau-A moment of anxiety-Visits the Knoll, Ambleside-The subject of mesmerism discussed—Her brief married life-Mrs. Gaskell's success in life-Writes Charlotte Brontë's biography-George Eliot and Herbert Spencer-Lives with George Lewes-Work and

success.