Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square. London, to Dawson Turner, [Yarmouth], 9 July 1845. 

30 Russell Square

9th July 1845.

My dear Sir,

       I am quite ashamed of myself for suffering so long a time to elapse without addressing a single line to you expressing my sense of your great kindness to me last summer and of the obliging attentions of the ladies of your family during my visit. I have been put off writing by a variety of those practical sophistries in which indolence, otherwise very dull, is somewhat ingenious at times –

       I have said to myself “He made an express promise of calling on me when he came to town – and he must have been here”.

       “I should not like to write without sending at the same time something to render my letter acceptable and I cannot lay my hand on the only autograph of value in my possession and which will deserve notice even in his possession.”

       This I have thought repeatedly and it is only a few days ago that I stumbled upon two letters which I have great pleasure in offering you – They are even historical writings, having a relation to a remarkable incident in the life of a very remarkable man Horne Took. They were given me by Sutton Sharpe, late Queen’s Counsel who had them from the Miss Hart’s Horne Took’s natural daughters. One is from Hatsell the well-known literary Officer of the House of Commons And the other by Townsend with a P.S. with the initials of Oliver two forgotten partizans of John Wilkes who in their day were men of influence & note. Both letters refer to the memorable Summons of H. T. to attend the House of Commons on which occasion he baffled the House as it ought to be baffled whenever it asserts its outrageous claim of privilege. Being asked to acknowledge a writing which was a libel on the house He said “Mr Speaker am I asked this question as a witness or a party?” Being told as a party – he replied – “I say not guilty and I put myself on the country” – The house were confounded. – He was told to withdraw, and ordered to attend another day. And on that day they did not make a house, and he heard no more of it – They had learned the folly of trying to catch a tartar.

       The Townsend was Alderman – and father of the Mr [   ] Townsend author of a well-known work on Mesmerism.

       I beg my best Comps to Mrs D. Turner and Miss Turner

             I am very truly yours

                         H. C. Robinson

Dawson Turner Esqr

P.S. I am going to Bury in a day or two my brother I am happy to see is now much better than he has been.

      I have stuck in a note by a man who has acquired a right to the distinction of being included in one of your volumes by being the stimulator & patron who occasioned the publication & even the composition of many of Burns’ songs. 

No address page or postmark. 

No endorsement.

Text: Turner Papers, O.14.39/5 (1845) (Copy), Trinity College, Cambridge.