Henry Crabb Robinson, 2 Plowden Building, Temple, London, to Dawson Turner, Yarmouth, 7 November 1836. 

[Letter concerns attempt by Mrs Charles Aders to sell her paintings after her husband’s bankruptcy]

7 Nov. 1836

My dear Sir

       I did not receive your letter of the 29th Ult: till Saturday night—It lay at the St. James’s Coffee House five days, a circumstance which you will as much regret as I do. I will not complain of the pain you unintentionally inflicted on me by making me the transmitter of your answer. The circumstances did justify your suspicion if not that I had suggested Mrs A’s application to you, at least that I was privy to it. I give you my word of honour that I was not: And I should have been ignorant of the fact but for an accident. I said one day to her – “Now that the pictures must be sold by us without further yielding to Mr [A] its mistaken idea of the value, I will apply to Mr D. T. I have no doubt he will gladly assist us, if possible, in getting rid of the great picture.” – She said merely “Don’t write for a day or two”—And a few days afterwards she wrote to me, reproaching herself for wanting the courage to tell me that she had sent one of her circulars to you—Had she informed me of her intention to do so, I should certainly have said “What claims have you on Mr D. T. He hardly knows you, and you know as little of him”—I will make a reply for her “It is true I am a stranger to him, but I can still apply to him with more hope than to many rich people you have seen at our parties when we were in affluence – He is a banker, And therefore I presume rich” – (I own I have always had this idea – perhaps you will tell me, this is a popular superstition) And then he is what so few rich men are, a man of letters And an amateur and connoisseur in the fine arts –have I not a right to believe that there is some congeniality between us? And that is the foundation of all benevolence and sympathy.” – Surely this is true, And I hope therefore you will not think Mrs A culpable in having made an experiment – Your refusal is so motivé as the French say, that I cannot find a word to say in refutation of it—On the other hand I feel convinced that were you as rich as your friend H. G. and like him unencumbered with a family, you would have gladly put your name at the head of such a contribution, because your peculiar taste and attainments must make you appreciate Mrs A’s merits infinitely better than I can, who am equally without your talents and knowledge. But I know her to be a most extraordinary person And I grieve to think that such a woman should be in danger of sinking into utter destitution

       When the As were affluent they were most liberal and generous—I have been their frequent guest—I would rather live in a garret on bread and water than not have already contributed according to my means to their necessities—And I will do so again But my means are limited And I can only be one among several—Mrs A very considerately intimated that she expected nothing more from me—To which I said “I will willingly add my contribution provided you can obtain the others—but I cannot afford to throw away resources”—And now I am apprehensive that at least in this way I shall not be able to do what I wish…. I should not have spoken of myself (And which I do in confidence) but for the concluding part of your letter—You have written small & there is a word I cannot read, but I interpret your words into an offer to lend me the money I may be inclined to give but have not by me—Now, if not for the offer, at least for the very kind manner in which it is made I sincerely thank you, tho’ I own it did excite a smile at the seeming strangeness of the offer – For it looks like proposing to a man to give what the very proposal takes for granted, he has not the means to do without becoming a debtor—Nevertheless I do thank you sincerely—You are one of the men, I should with the least reluctance lie under a pecuniary obligation to, but I hope to go thro’ life without having incurred such an obligation to any man—

       This friendly and well intended offer strengthens my assurance, that you will not suffer any annoyance Mrs A’s application to you may have given to indispose you to render us whatever service may lye in your power in disposing of the large picture, or the Canalettis—When I say us I mean the trustees of the private creditors of Mr A three years ago

       Should you be in town soon, perhaps tho’ I am seldom favourd with a sight of you, you would allow me the benefit of your advice as to the disposition of the pictures

       I am very sincerely yours

                         H.C. Robinson

2 Plowden Building Temple

7th Nov 1836./-

P:S: I wish to say that the circular was not shewn me till it had been ^used^ I approved of the substance, not the form—The Sum should not have been fixed—I have known this plan perfectly succeed—It is one of the best forms in which kindness can exert itself

       Three years ago I acted on the famous axiom of Dante Purg: XVII, 59.

“Che quale aspetta prego, e l’uopo vede,

Malignamente gia si mette al nego.” +

But I acted at the same time injudiciously—Even kind feelings require the superintendence & direction of prudence./-

[+] Thus in English

“Who waits for asking when he sees the need,

Cold heartedly is ready to refuse.”

Address: Dawson Turner Esqr / Yarmouth / Suffolk. Postmark: 7 NO 7 1836 

Text: Turner Papers, O.14.17/103 (1836), Trinity College, Cambridge.