HCR, Bury St Edmunds, to Elizabeth Reid, York Terrace, London, 8 August 1847. 

Bury St Edmunds

8th Augt 1847

My dear Mrs Reid

       Having rescued your character from all unworthy imputations both as respects the Subscription to the Un: Hall And the contribution to Mrs Dyer I have no doubt you have been in a state of repose ever since And that my silence has not disquieted you – As to the £5, I dare say you have received a circular from Mr Davison which will have shewn you that I made no advance – And as to the 20/ I can assure you that without boasting of superfluous wealth I can bear the privation with fortitude until we meet – On the contrary I could not bear the annoyance of availing himself of the Post office accommodation – were it ever sent me –

       To talk of serious matters for a moment, tho’ there is a dash of the ridiculous mixed up with them:

       What a number of odd elections! What a number of scandalous rejections!

      I shall not soon forgive the Orthodox dissenters for throwing out Macaulay & Hawes – Roebucks case is venial – Probably the two first will be soon elected  places will be made for them The whole world will acknowledge what I saw from the first, that the government will need official seats – On the other hand – Did not you make great eyes (as the Germans say) at the election of William Fox? You recollect the sagacious distribution of gifts in St Pauls Epistle – Fox’s Oratory will suit Finsbury Chapel and the National Hall Holbourn [Gallery 2d And pit 1d] ^better^ than St Stephen’s Chapel or the Ho: of Peers – I fear the ministry will be so hard driven by a numerous opposition that they will be forced to truckle to the Rail Road bench in the one house, as they have, to the Bench of Bishops in the other

       I spent a delightful week in & around Norwich – The Rail Road allowing the Archaeologians to include Ely in their Antiquarian circuit – I wish it had occurred to you to join us – You would have met with congenial spirits even among the Norfolk ladies

       You would have been gratified by finding Traverse Madge very much respected His affectionate tone & pious looks win hearts in abundance You would have been proud of your Son. You have as much right to call him so, as Mrs Opie has to let herself be called Grandmama by an American young lady –

       I returned here yesterday And here I shall stay several weeks – I shall not fail as soon as I return to pay my respects to you & Miss Sturch, to whom I beg to be cordially rememberd But I do not expect to see either of you till October –

       Wishing you may enjoy an English Summer after so long an abstinence

                I am  &c &c &c

                        most truly your’s

                                         H. C. Robinson

Mrs Reid

York Terrace –

No Address. 

No Postmark. 

No Endorsement.

Text: BC/RF/103/4/5], Royal Holloway University of London.