HCR, 30 Russell Square, London, to Dawson Turner, [Yarmouth], 9 March 1849. 

30 Russell Square

9th March 49

My dear Sir

       Many thanks for your kind letter You will see that I have added your name to those of the other subscribers, from which you will <–> ^infer^ that I have no fear that you will ^not^ in due time submit me the money If you do not I must pay it myself –

       Your very kind expressions concerning myself are more acceptable than such expressions usually are, because they render it impossible to put an unfriendly interpretation on words which might otherwise be liable to animadversion As when you say that you will remit the money as soon as I inform you that the whole sum is raised – Why! If everyone else had given the same Answer the undertaking would have been stifled at once And not one farthing would have been given – I do not expect that the whole Sum will be ever raised – that is, subscribed by others – But I have undertaken to supply the deficiency – And that I trust will satisfy you as it has the Council –

       In fact, of the £300 subscribed £195 have been received by me & paid into Herries bank – I have crossed the Sums actually paid – The Council have very liberally voted large Sums for filling up the dome & stair case for the reception of the stair case Casts – And the work is going on both of the building & the repairs – And therefore, which is all I am sure you meant by what you said, you may be satisfied that the whole scheme will be carried out & not prove an abortion – That is, all the great works ^will be put up^ If I should not find the lovers of art so liberal as I expect And I find that after adding a specified Sum to the Sum subscribed, somewhat short of one half of the whole subscription as anticipated by me, it is not possible to provide for the present erection of some of Fs minor works, the I will take care that they be preserved till means shall be supplied –

       As to the admission of the public – The constitution & character of the College alike render it a mere trust for the public And Miss Denman’s first offer of the works to the college which is of record was in language which admitted of no construction but this – That the College were the Custodes of these precious remains for the public – Any attempt to dispose of them for profit or otherwise to treat them as trust would be met by an Injunction from the court of Chancery

       I am my dear Sir

             faithfully yours

                       H.C. Robinson

Dawson Turner Esqr

[enclosure: printed sheet: Flaxman Gallery with sub list, and on separate sheet, brief details of committee meeting with Samuel Rogers in the chair.  HCR puts Dawson Turner down in the next printout for £5, but still hasn’t received the money!]

No address page. 

No endorsement 

Text: Turner Papers, O.14.46/62 (1849), Trinity College, Cambridge University.