Lady Anne Isabella Byron, Brighton, to Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, London, 21 December 1854.

[f. 116r]

Brighton

Decr 21. 1854

Dear Mr Robinson

       I hope that I shall make a right use of all the valuable facts & knowledge which I obtain thro’ your kindness – I wish you would share yourself trouble by letting me have your first blotted M. S. – for to me there is even an interest & sometimes a grace in Errata, as they shew how the idea has emerged from the Writer’s mind.

       I subscribe £200 to the new Review with some doubt whether it ought not to be more. I shall however buy copies, if the character of the Pubn should make it desirable to circulate widely amongst Reading Societies.

       I am glad to find that I had [f. 116v] anticipated your advice by having written a final letter to my Plaintiff correspondent – of not more than 10 lines, – regretting that in consequence of my own words having failed to convey the true impression of my views & feelings, I must in future convey them thro’ other channels. In answer I have received some sentimental disclaimers, which need no reply. You have enabled me to understand the nature of the case much better.

         I do not like the law which limits Maternal Guardianship by Age – It is never more necessary than in the Teens. Certainly I should not concur in enforcing it – but the support & cooperation of men is also necessary, in general.

       I am inclined to give you one new view, in return for the various aspects under which you have shewn [f. 117r] me some questions – “Suaviter in modo” is very dangerous without legal caution. I have known this to my cost, in consequences, some of which have influenced my relative position essentially, & others have impaired my ability to carry out my objects.

       The argument made use of against me has been – “if you had been so wronged, or defrauded, or deceived” (according as the case was) “you could not have written so kindly, so gently, so unaccusingly.” – Observe that I had never violated sincerity, but had rather sought to soothe & touch than to state grievances & convict of misconduct – So I am now disposed to adopt the converse Forbiter in modo, suaviter in re – that is to say, “Tell truth & shame the Devil.” But in action, “Overcome evil with good” –

       [f. 117v] I aspire to this degree of social freedom, to give my whole opinion to anyone who puts me under the necessity of giving any part of it – One who has little left to lose may be brave without much courage – Thank you for returning my letter, which I have burnt, tho’ not for my own sake.

       I am still anxiously expecting Mrs Arnold’s decision that I may take the necessary measures for my Grandsons Future. It is not easy, tho’ Mrs A. says it is, to find as good an arrangement, to say nothing of the great disadvantage of changes at that age, to the probability of which I had not looked forward. Each party was at liberty to terminate the engagement, with this difference only, that I should do so under a fine. This you will consider private    

       Your ever truly obliged

             A I: Noel Byron.

Text:  MS-DEP Lovelace-Byron 109, fols. 116-17 (copy), Bodleian Library, Oxford.