Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, London, to Lady Anne Isabella Byron, [no address], 14 December 1854.

[f. 65r]

London

30 Russell Square

14th Dec: 1854

Dear Lady Byron,

      I should have answerd your letter of the 15th Ult: sooner, if I had not feared encroaching on your time and attention, and so taken an unbecoming advantage of its generous spirit and kind tone – And would not write until I had information to give which renders all apology needless –

      A few days since Mr Greg called on me, And yesterday I saw Mr J. J. Tayler and on their authority I can now add to the information formerly given what cannot but strengthen your “desire to contribute” to the attainment of the object now more distinctly in view – That is, in the hope that the scheme is not visionary but has a reasonable probability of success in its favour – Already a <–> sufficient amount of subscriptions has been promised to justify the commencement – Messrs Smith & Elder will undertake all the risque of the publication – They are not Sectarian or Religious book publishers And would not have been the publishers, had the work assumed that character – But of course all the articles that belong to that class of literature [f. 65v] will be of a liberal and philosophical character And no avowed believer in Revelation in any of its churches placed in the awkward-squ[a]d of theological recruits – as has been done – And tho’ the Prosp: Rev: will now depart this life – the new Review – name yet unascertained – will not be considerd as an Epigenesis or a transmigration of any Theological spirit.

       All the money raised by these voluntary contributions will be applied exclusively to the Renumeration of the Writers; As it is found that on no other terms could the Service of the ablest writers be secured. At present I understand £1600 have been promised. Mr J. J. T. could not find the list – Your name is not among them, as nothing short of an express declaration on your part would permit such a life of it – Mr James Martineau is considerd as the responsible head of the Theological department, And I take for granted would have a Veto, under ordinary circumstances, on any article of Speculative Theology –

       Whoever is commissioned by you to [f. 66r] communicate your name to him will consider himself honourd by the Commission As I feel happy in the power of uniting my name to that of so many I look up to with high respect

       I intimated to Mr Greg in the first instance, that I could not repeat my offering, should the Scheme want further aid – As I had no expectation of any return And disclaimed all thoughts of partnerships – His answer was very decisive – That is expected of no one – Unless the Rev: can be able to support itself within two years – it must perish The only doubt I entertain, or fear rather, is that the subscription may not be sufficient to sustain the Rev: during its probationary period. I doubt whether by £100 subscriptions £1600 can be raised can be raised to £3000 – But the Sum actually raised, is as I have said, deemed sufficient to begin with –

       One is sorry to hear that there should be more zeal among those who assert purely negations, than among those who affirm; feeling as I do the deep wisdom involved in the character given of himself by Mephistopheles

                         Ich bin der Geist

                        Der stets vereint

That is, as I had the boldness to translate him [f. 66v] in the Chair of the Non. Con. Club – [“]I am the everlasting Non. Con” –

       I am not acquainted with the works or name of Mr Freeman Clarke – nor does Mr J. J. Tayler know him. I wish not to go to the Americans for Aid I was pleased with the account of the Alliance Univ: in the last Reformer, as I have no doubt you have been with J. J. T’s account of Genuine Religion in the last Christ: Ref:

       Have you seen Mackay’s Work on the Rise &c of Christianity the 7th of Chapmans Quart: Series? I cod no where find so profoundly interesting a Table of Contents & Topics as this book offers you – I have read but little yet. I have no right to censure; nor have I to require that he ^any one^ should write as I think! He is a conscientious & learned man – I should rejoice to know your opinion of it – The 4th Vol: of De Quincey Works and Wilkinsons very curious little book written to shew that Omeopathy is the only specific – rather say only safe remedy in cases of cholera & its associated maladies  – But I vowed not to expose you to the necessity of directing your eyes more than four times upwards – And therefore I say no more of these books.

             Believe me, Madam,

                        faithfully yours

                                       H. C. Robinson

The Lady Noel Byron

Brighton

Text:  MS-DEP Lovelace-Byron 109, fols. 65-66, Bodleian Library, Oxford.