COLONEL RONALD G. BROOKE
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The death of Colonel Ronald Brooke, late of the 7th Hussars, at Cannes, last week, removes a very attractive personality with a long and distinguished military career. May I add a word to the obituary notices which have appeared in the Daily Press ?
Was it not said of Robert Browning that he would best be remembered by posterity, not on account of his poetry, great and enduring though that undoubtedly is, but on account of the wonderful love he gave to Mrs. Browning ?
Only Ronnie Brooke's intimate friends know what a happy married life was cut short by his death, and we can hardly let ourselves think of the void which has been created for Mrs. Brooke. It is no exaggeration to say that since their marriage twenty-three years ago his chief preoccupation in life was his wife and her health. He never thought about himself and never ceased thinking of her.
When we are told that romance and enduring love.exist only in the imagination of novelists, it is an inspiration to look on married happiness such as Colonel and Mrs. Brooke's.
To her his friends can only offer their deepest sympathy, knowing well that she will be inconsolable. We can only hope that perhaps she may draw sonic comfort from the knowledge that the love he gave her will always remain a sacred memory to their friends.—I am, Sir, &c., E. W.
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