ELIZA CAWLEY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2, 23 April 1914, Page 6

ELIZA CAWLEY.

It has just become known that a former housekeeper of Robert Browning recently -died in Portsmouth Workhouse Infirmary, at the age of ninety-five. Her name was Eliza Cawlby, and on the return of Browning from Florence, immediately after the death of his wife, she became his housekeeper at his residence in Warwick Crescent. Hero she used to see Carlyle, Mazzini and Garibaldi when they paid visits. On the occasion of Garibaldi’s visit he wore his favorite red shirt and slouch hat. which, together with his foreign appearance, led the housekeeper to refuse him , admission until she had consulted her master. On hearing her description of the Browning, it is stated, wrung his hands and exclaimed, “Yon have shut out my best friend.” Mrs Cawley eventually left ■Browning’s service on account of illhealth, and removed to Gosport. In the end she was obliged to go to the infirmary, wfiere she was .noted for her embroidery work. A number of friends have arranged to erect over her grave a cross commemorating association with Browning. •