Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, London, to Lady Anne Isabella Noel Byron, [no address], 14 November 1853.

[f. 12r]

London

30 Russell Square

14 Nov: 1853.

Madam,

       I rejoiced when I heard that your Ladyship was returned to Brighton in improved health. And I trust for a better reason than that I might venture to write to you without fear of again leading you to disobey the injunctions of your physician[.]

        Indeed I rather regretted that you had heard of my intention to write, which I gather from a second letter received from Dr King, because you may expect that I have more to communicate concerning our reverd friend, than it is in my power now or would be at any time to give –

       I congratulate you on having found an editor for such of Robertsons remains as you may be desirous to give to the world – For nothing is a competent editor so much required, as for the publication of the works of a young man of genius, especially when those works will have to encounter the hostility of bigots of all kinds –

        [f. 12v] One fact only I have to report to you worthy this introduction – being so long – And that I had from James Stephen whom you know of course – That is, his works perhaps not his person – He was the son of the learned Jurist whose second wife was the sister of Wilberforce – he is now the friend of Maurice and has given to the world, unrebuked, the same opinions concerning the judgement to come which the ultra-orthodox are striving to turn into a deadly heresy – From Maurice Sir James had heard warm praise of Robertson – But that was nothing, said Stephen to me, compared with what I heard of another testimony given by a person of known piety and distinguished religious character – I am not at liberty to name him – (nor could the editor name Sir James, without suspicion permission) This Gentleman had been pressed to hear Rob: And when the Service was over, was remarked to be very grave & silent – For a long time he gave no answer to the questions put to him, what he thought [f. 13r] of the preacher; And when he could resist no longer, his answer was – “I think nothing of him; but every word of his Sermon seemed to be a message from the Almighty addressed to me personally -- !![”]  Any remark on this would be impertinent –

       I hear with pleasure that the editor of Rs remains is a friend of Thom’s the editor of Blanco Whites life – A book of deep interest to every one who dares in his speculations or his hopes and fears to go out of the beaten tracks of our Sects – and Churches  Robertson will have a station by himself in the broad Church – At almost my last interview with him he said to me – I am rising in the World – How so? I am glad to hear it –[”] “The Record has begun to attack me And places me with Archdeacon Hare – Maurice – Donaldson ^&c^ – Is not that fame? – “It is all the Record can give you at least” – A class comprehending so great a variety must be broad – That This attack on Maurice at this juncture will lead many to remark on the qualities which such men as Robertson & Maurice had in common as well as opposed to each other – I lent lately to the learned author of the article on languages in the last West: [f. 13v] Rev: Robertsons addresses to the Young-Men And Maurice’s Essays – He described the latter as a “cloud land peopled with phantoms – which one strives in vain to embrace as friends or assailers – enemies –” I am not so ready to concur in this judgement tho’ it is the one generally formed of M: as I am to echo what follows – “R’s addresses are of very different stuff clear, distinct, forcible, & eloquent they rouse the heart while they convince the head” –

       As it was in consequence of your advice that the obituary article has been so extensively circulated, you will pardon my referring to it, in order to illustrate the operations of bigotry on both sides – Some of my orthodox friends can hardly forgive my making known to the world that he thought Channing a Christian tho’ a Unitarian --; while some narrow-minded U—s think I spoiled the article by recording Rs tolerance of the Athanasian Creed – My answer to all was the same – [“]It would have been dishonest to tell the one anecdote without the other  They balance each other. Each, alone, would have conveyed a wrong impression of his character” – Not that I am an advocate for telling every thing that is known of an eminent person – In the abstract, I hold this notion to be as foolish as it is mischievous.

[f. 14r]

15th Nov: 

       I was unable to go on with my letter yesterday And I might have been carried away by the seducing topic then in my mind from the incident I wished to relate, as one not to be witheld ultimately but not made known ^public^ at present – Being anxious not to represent myself as believing more than I actually do, I have been in the habit of  stating, especially to clergymen, that in the conviction that errors could not make their way in the world but because they were mixed up with truths convenient to our best feelings, I was sensible of the duty of striving to separate the true from the false saying therefore to our friend – “I am as convinced as it is possible to be on such a subject that the entire scheme of what is called Orthodox Christianity as vulgarly understood is false But –” R: would not allow me to proceed but stopped me with the words “Your conviction cannot be stronger than mine that it is[”] – Now until Rs character is better and more generally understood than it can be yet – Such an anecdote would indispose many to read his works – And this is a sort of reserve, the witholding such facts I mean, which I think even a duty. [f. 14v] And of all the preachers I ever heard, Robertson had more success than any other in shewing that the vulgar misrepresentations of Christian doctrine might be disregarded while the genuine Christian doctrine recommended itself to the heart and understanding of those who were the conscientious as well as enlightened searchers after truth. Therefore I called him a remover of stumbling blocks – I cannot say that I was satisfied with his attempted adaptation of his liberal opinions to Church formularies; but I was glad that he could do it And never for a moment doubted his integrity – One other little anecdote permit me to relate – It was on my last visit to Brighton during his life, that I said to him walking with him from Church, which I frequently did – [“]It is quite unaccountable to me, how you can retain so large a congregation–” [“]I am as unable to account for it as you are – I make no sacrifices to obtain popularity, as you can see; And I will leave the Church the moment I feel myself not at liberty to say all I think it right to say –[”]

       I could cite your ladyship as one of his compargators on this point if any were required [f. 15r] I will not obtrude longer on your Ladyship’s valuable time.  I have neither learning nor metaphysical talent, so that, notwithstanding your flattering first impressions, I am conscious that I have not the power of otherwise assisting in making our friends high qualities as a Christian teacher known, than as a witness to the salutary effect his discourses and private intercourse had on a mind like mine of average capacity And previously disposed unfavorably towards religious truth ^views^ – And this merit will not be denied him, tho’ the importance of it will be denied –

        I inclose a copy of the Obituary article so that you will see I availed myself of your judicious hint –

             I have the honour to be

                        your obedient Servt

                                       H. C. Robinson

The Lady Noel Byron

Text: MS-DEP Lovelace-Byron 109, fols. 12-15, Bodleian Library, Oxford.