19 APRIL 1902, Page 15

A BROWNING ANECDOTE.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] Sin,—In the current number of the. Carnhill Magazine in an interesting paper entitled " On a Few Conversationalists " the writer tells an amusing story of Browning and bow he received certain flowers from a lady, who, on being pressed to give their English names, shyly confessed they were called "bloody noses." I happened many years ago to be staying in a country house when Browning told this story in his inimitable way, and he ended with the following lines, which I then and there committed to memory, and which will, I think, interest your readers :- "I'll deck my love with posies, I'll cover her with roses, Should she protest

I'll do my best To give her bloody noses."

The Athenwwm.