Inhischeerfulalertness，self-possession，andgenialsuavityBrowningimpressedhimasanAmericanratherthanasanEnglishman，thoughtherecanbenoquestionbutthatnomorethoroughEnglishmanthanthepoeteverlived。Itisamistake，ofcourse，tospeakofhimasatypicalEnglishman：fortypicalhewasnot，exceptinaveryexclusivesense。BayardTaylordescribeshiminreportorialfashionasbeingapparentlyaboutseven-and-thirtyafairlycloseguess，withhisdarkhairalreadystreakedwithgreyaboutthetemples：withafaircomplexion，justtingedwithfaintestolive：
eyeslarge，clear，andgrey，andnosestrongandwell-cut，mouthfullandratherbroad，andchinpointed，thoughnotprominent：
aboutthemediumheight，strongintheshoulders，butslenderatthewaist，withmovementsexpressiveofacombinationofvigourandelasticity。
Withdueallowanceforthepassageoffive-and-thirtyyears，thisdescriptionwouldnotbeinaccurateofBrowningtheseptuagenarian。
TheydidnotreturndirecttoItalyafterall，butwinteredinPariswithRobertBrowningtheelder，whohadretiredtoasmallhouseinastreetleadingofftheChampsElysees。ThepensionhedrewfromtheBankofEnglandwasasmallone，but，withwhatheotherwisehad，wassufficientforhimtoliveincomfort。Theoldgentleman’shealthwassuperbtothelast，forhediedin1866withouteverhavingknownaday’sillness。