The correspondence between the two poets had not long begun when Browning suggested something which was almost a blasphemy in the Barrett household, that he should come and call on her as he would on any one else.

This seems to have thrown her into a flutter of fear and doubt.

She alleges all kinds of obstacles, the chief of which were her health and the season of the year and the east winds.

"If my truest heart's wishes avail," replied Browning obstinately, "you shall laugh at east winds yet as I do." Then began the chief part of that celebrated correspondence which has within comparatively recent years been placed before the world.

It is a correspondence which has very peculiar qualities and raises many profound questions.
It is impossible to deal at any length with the picture given in these remarkable letters of the gradual progress and amalgamation of two spirits of great natural potency and independence, without saying at least a word about the moral question raised by their publication and the many expressions of disapproval which it entails.