Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, London, to Elizabeth Reid, [no address], 1 January 1852. 

30 Russell Square

London.

1st Jan: 1852

My dear Mrs Reid.

       My first letter in the new year cannot be better addressed than to you, partly to thank you for the first I opened this same new year – (I never open letters at night on coming home) – And partly to express my full sympathy with you, with Mad: Mohl, and I am very sure with your excellent hosts Mr & Mrs Chapman on the several weighty matters lightly touched in your letter –

       Those matters are of such transcendent importance and so immediately affect the welfare of the human race that I am not ashamed to confess that I can feel no warm friendship coupled with high esteem where this sympathy is wanting –

       But that I may not forget the business part of this letter while I am wandering over the general topics adverted to in your letter let me first thank you for your very kind offer to send to Mlle Le Conte some account of Mr Bagehot – I am not quite so sure that he is as that he ought to be, a ladies man – tho’ he has an eye almost as striking as Professor Owen the great naturalists. He will not fail as soon as he receives my letter to profit by it by calling in the Rue [Clietry?], and his card when sent up will add to his address – “With a the Compliments of Mrs Reid of &c &c &c[”]

       This is a very good natured and kind offer of your’s – But really I never saw your hand writing which did not express something of the kind –

       I have already intimated to you that I entertain hopes that Manchester New College will ultimately be united to, perhaps it would be more corect [sic] to say, located in the Univ: Hall Gordon Square – This Mr Chapman will hear with great pleasure – Our religious convictions do not need the aid of the organisan of churches, to be fixed in our hearts: But we are social creatures, And one must be sadly wrapped up in one’s personality, not to rejoice in those select societies by which under different names the work of civilisation or culture is carried on And it is a deplorable fact that the professors of the only Christian faith which offers hopes to the whole community of men, And does not threaten much more than it promises, are so poor in number in means or in earnest solicitude for the spread of that faith, that at this hour, there is not in England One frequented college which offers to its students the benefits of a University education together with a scholars training in the learning connected with this religious creed – Compare the colleges attached to Calvinistic Methodistic or either of the Soi disant Catholic Churches with our Abortions And we have reason to blush –

       There now! – Thank in spirit her Majesty’s Ancient Serjeant for his interruption – I might otherwise have taken to a second sheet, in order to express some of the Sentiments suggested by your mention of the Ladies College! It is lamentable that this establishmt should be in want of pupils! I do not know indeed that the Queen’s College flourishes as even that ought – These facts are evidences of the low state of public opinion in this country, As the acquiescence of the people in France, proves that the French are stupified by terror.

       France as well as Germany is doomed to be under the “brutal sword” And the Christian Religion becomes all but brutal too, when the Sword is its great instrument of exercions – It requires no great skill in the manufactory of arms, to form the cross into a battle axe – combining the use of the bayonet, the axe & the dagger – If I knew H. B. I would point it out to him –

       I must break off – For I am to be at Doctor Williams Library – at One where we have some pittances of Charity to dole out And I mean to promise ^propose^  Richd Martineau to fill up a Vacany in the Trust.

       Therefore I break off – In spite of the general calamity may your family party now enjoy each others Society And tho merry is not the fit epithet now, yet may yo have all the pleasure which benevolent feeling allow  to Miss Sturch Mr & Mrs Chapman my cordial remembrances

                        &c &c &c

                                    H. C. Robinson

No Address, Postmark, or Endorsement 

Text: BC/RF/103/4/11, Archives, Royal Holloway University of London.