Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, London, to Lady Anne Isabella Noel Byron, [no address], 23 January 1854.

[f. 29r]

London

30 Russell Square

23. Jan 1854

Madam,

       Allow me to make my acknowledgmt for the reprints of the Article in the last Westminster Review on Mr Robertson It has but one fault, its extreme brevity – But that was irremediable – It expresses well and tersely the just sentiment, concerning our revered friend and will not interfere with any thing that may be called for hereafter –

      I have no doubt that ultimately the public mind of the lay community will settle down to a just estimate of this admirable man – That he should be the but [sic] of malignant revilings is so much to be expected, that had these been wanting we might have doubted the strength of his nature or the purity of the cultivation –

      [f. 29v] The Record has been true to the Colours – And has exhibited a characteristic <–> consistency in its treatment of Robertson, Maurice, our friend Dr Donaldson &c &c &c

      You have of course – tho’ perhaps the of course, is too strong an expression but you have I presume read the Article on the State of Religion in England – There is a finer tone in it a subtler intellect by far than the famous paper in the Edinb: Rev: which has given currency to a word The Record, I am told, claims to be of the broad Church – Yet the Rundites would complain of insult if they were called Latitudinarians – This paper by James Martineau is both milder and more considerate than the articles which fill [f. 30r] a Vol: of admirable writ[ings] published under the title of Miscellanies –

      I shall be mindful of the date of the 7th P< >: to which you direct my attention And will endeavour to remove the obstacle in the way of my paying my respects to your ladyship in your Brighton residence

                        I have the honour to be

                                     faithfully yours

                                                H. C. Robinson

The Lady Noel Byron

&x &c &c

Martineau’s Art: is the only one in the last Art: which I have yet had time to read – The one on Foreign Policy is much praised –

Text:  MS-DEP Lovelace-Byron 109, fols. 29-30, Bodleian Library, Oxford.