[hardy-l] Hardy & Aurora Leigh

[Patrick Roper]

I have been reading Elizabeth Barrett Browning's 'Aurora Leigh' and I am
curious to know if Hardy had any recorded view of it.   There seem to me to
be many parallels and it is interesting that it was published in 1856, the
year that Hardy witnessed the hanging of Martha Browne and the implications
that had for Tess of the D'Urbervilles.  Did he also read AL in that year?

Part of my reason for asking is that I do not recall, in my various readings
about TH and his interests, ever seeing Aurora Leigh (or E B Browning)
mentioned.  Though there may be lots on this topic in the literature.

Patrick Roper