Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, London, to Lady Anne Isabella Byron, [no address], 20 December 1854.

[f. 70r]

London

30 Russell Square

20th Dec: 1854.

Dear Lady Byron,

       As I expected, I met Mr James Martineau Mr Madge & two persons whom you do not know, at Mr Long’s the Magistrate. The enjoyment of the afternoon was sadly disturbed by the absence of Mr J. J. Tayler – His Son was really one of the most delightful youth’s I ever knew. But to pass to more chearful matter

       Mr Mart: expressed himself highly gratified by your adhesion to the new undertaking – (That is the political application of the word, if I mistake not –) I enquired of him the name of the banker to whom the cheque might be sent – That he could not tell me But he gave me the names of the subscribers And explained the nature & origin of the subscriptions more distinctly than I understood the subject before – I will put them down – When the troubles of C. the publisher arose, And when his really illiberal & one-sided conduct was made known, it was thought that he must give up the editorship & publication And it was expected that the West: Rev: would be transferred to really liberally minded men who would be able to combine free thought, with an earnest & affectionate regard for the best interests of mankind unhappily not always in perfect harmony – And it was with a view to this purchase that the undernamed individuals agreed to have their names put down – I copy Mr Martineau’s paper – [f. 70v] and thinking you might like to know who is who I will to the names add the description that is the legal term.

       Mr Darbishire – he is considerd as at the head of the concern – And Mr M said the cheque might be sent to him, But he lives in Wales, having retired from the practice of the law, I shall write to him today, asking for the name of his banker in town, And how the money shd be paid – He originally put down his name for £300 that is meant to give £100 a year – But when it was finally resolved that the experiment should be tried for two years only – it was changed to £200 – All the other subscriptions are understood to be for £100, except two which are without a sum.

Will Greg            the well known & very able writer

Miss Greg           and his sister – he will probably be the working editor 

Ainsworth           Wealthy members of Mr M’s Congregation – Probably in business

Avifson

Dr Hodgson         A man of talents, Author of the article in the West: on the Latin language.  It has been much admired.

Newman              Our Latin professor has given in his acquiescence in the doctrine

James Spedding – The accomplished scholar who has been employed for years in writing a life of LdBacon

Bagehot –            A young friend of mine an ex-student of Univ: Coll – He wrote the capital article on Butler in the last Prospect.

       All these have formally consented to the attempt to set up the new Rev: tho’ the old West: will continue; but from which as I have already informed you, a large proportion of the best writers will retire.

       [f. 71r] The following persons have not yet formally answerd the letter sent to each – but they are nearly all of Mr J. M’s congregation And he believes that not one will withdraw in consequence of the change of plan –

Mr Richd Yates     Two of the well known family Owners of the Liverpool park And

Miss Yates            all descended from a Unit: Minister

Rawdon             

Geo Holt              All of Liverpool

J. D. Morell         The well known historian of Modern Philosophy – Orthodox in his Origin and not quite clear in his views &c &c

       I have just had a call from Richd Hutton – he says that if the money be required – Jas Martineau & J. J. Tayler will add theirs – Of course, attempts will be made to add to this list – My own impression is that at least £2500 should be added.

       Perhaps you may think I might have spared my fingers And your eyes the trial of running over this long paper – And I had no intention to write so much

       I must not allow the paper to be sent off without a word of a more liberal character

       I am now reading a delightful book – I think the best the author has written – that is if I can venture to hope that the whole is equal to the dedication And the first Sermon on the Sacrifice of Cain & Abel  It’s Maurice’s Doctrine of Sacrifice deduced from the [f. 71v] Scriptures – I do not profess to understand all I read – But all I do understand I like. What enhances my love of this Vol: is that it brings to my memory what Robertson on occasion said to me in precisely the same spirit.

       I have given precedence to it over another Vol the 7th of Chapmans Quarterly Series – Mackay’s Sketch of the Rise & Origin Progress of Xianity – Tho learned & conscientious And not to be thrown aside because the author deals more with denials than affirmations – This I lament – When I set about it I will also read Maurice’s lectures on the Ecclesiastical rift of the first & second Centuries – These are in an opposite spirit – Martineau says it is a very delightful Vol: –

        And now I must apologise for I fear wearying you with a tiresome detail –

                        I am faithfully your’s

                                     H. C. Robinson

The Lady Noel Byron

I find I have omitted two names –

Schunck            Two rich members of the Unitarian body – The latter of Mr M’s

Reifs                  congregation The former of Manchester – An excellent man – I

                          have known his family at Frankfurt for half a centy – He will not

                          fail I am sure –

Text:  MS-DEP Lovelace-Byron 109, fols. 70-71, Bodleian Library, Oxford.