Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, London, to Mary Wordsworth, [Rydal Mount], 5 June 1848.

30 Russell Square

5 June 1848.

My dear friend

     I venture to write to you again because I have something to say that will give you pleasure to read.

     I went down to Mortlake on Saturday in order to take a tea-dinner at 7 with H: Taylor. And there I saw Miss Fenwick looking as well as I think I ever saw her look.  It was really quite refreshing to look at her And indeed I could not do much more, for it happened that the Baron & Lady Rolfe came to take tea with them just as I went And there came Aubrey de Vere and several other friends so that the conversation was general. I learned however that you were returned to Rydal And tho’ I cannot say that her account of you all was precisely what I could wish, yet I am induced to write in the hope that you will be able to rejoice at the good account of our excellent friend.

     But I have not a good account to give of dear Mrs Clarkson. I have written twice lately to <–> her And had no answer. This may be explained by the state of her fingers She writes with difficulty – And therefore puts off writing longer than she intends. But I shall not be deterred from writing a third time should I have the power of writing any thing consolatory before she writes of her Rydal Mount friends.

     I breakfasted with Rogers this morning He is just as he was – And last week I called on Miss Rogers – She tho’ she will never be what she was only a year ago yet she is greatly improved and now can feel pleasure when called on.

     Just now – for I actually write at the Athen: tho’ I date in Russell Square – Dr Whewell has stepped in – Mrs Whewell is quite well.

     I have named all our common friends here – Except Moxon and him I saw a week since – Well also.

     You almost reproved me for writing politics in my last letter, saying you did not understood [sic] what I wrote, but supposed the Gentlemen did – I wont therefore do more than say that I now think there is some chance that war may be averted.

     It seems not absolutely <–> impossible that the National Assembly of France may frame a strong government that the French people will obey.

     I say it is possible. So it is possible that the Emperor of Austria may consent to waive his claims on Lombardy & Venice, for he will be told by everyone that were he to succeed against Italy, the French would enter as their allies – And then a general war would assuredly follow.

     At home our prospects are gloomy indeed But the governt is busy in carrying out the scheme of completing the reforms of the naval laws – Laws of trade &c &c &c

     I can only now add my affectionate remembces to your dear husband And the few other friends – Mr Quillinan is the first of these – And from him probably I shall receive the first notice of the arrival of this letter. Have you yet seen the Eastern traveller? I hear that she is as business as ever? Her active industry is quite enviable, tho’ you will often wish that the direction lay otherwise But to the Arnolds Roughsedges (their neighbours) Davies Harrison Cooksons, & of these, the Mrs Fletcher & Lady Richardson you will remember me.

                        &c &c &c

                                            H. C. Robinson

Mrs Wordsworth

Text: WLL, Robinson, Henry Crabb/9, Wordsworth Trust and Museum, Grasmere.  Robinson’s diary provides a brief gloss on the above letter: ‘I went from R[ough]’s to the Athen: where I wrote a short note to Mrs Wordsworth and after calling on Field I called on Donaldson and Miss Denman and arranged a meeting between them on some business, which if it end in business will be useful to Miss D:’