Henry Crabb Robinson, Westgate Street, Bury St Edmunds, to Elizabeth Reid, [no address], 17 July 1854. 

Westgate Stt

Bury St Edmunds

17th July 1854./.

My dear friend –

       When I last saw you, at Dr the Man: New Coll: -- virtually – locally – in the University Hall – you asked – rather gravely – “Where are you going to be? I wish to write to you” – My answer might leave you uncertain – As in fact I have been during the last two weeks; but as I now expect to remain here, a fortnight longer, I will not lose the chance of receiving a letter from you by letting you imagine a letter might miscarry

       I have spent a fortnight very agreeably already tho’ not in pursuits which have called forth any of the feelings we entertain in common – for the greater part of the time, – I have been enjoying the social amusements supplied by the Archaeological Institute – Looked over the Architectural ornaments of Cambridge University – visited my native town on a Gala-day as one of a body to whom its beauties were exhibited – A new aspect altogether – Beheld Lord Braybrooks residue of one of the noblest of our ancient mansions at Audley End And gone over Ely Cathedral – under the guidance of learned exhibitors – These have all a peculiar charm but not one which I am peculiarly qualified to be impressed by – Before this however I spent four days with my old friend Mrs Clarkson, who suffers from one of the ordinary inflictions of old age – paralysis – but enjoys society still – And thinks that of her earliest friends <–> the best – She participates in the sad feeling of disappointment, common to us And which every day becomes more sad and bitter – It requires a strong faith to enable us to do what characterises rather the lover than the thinker –     

                         “It is to hope, tho’ hope were lost –”

I have brought myself to the conclusion; That it is an abuse of language And of truth itself to extend one’s tolerance towards inhumanity – I regret that it was a character so doubtful as to its moral worth† – who utterd the saying that he would not give his hand in friendship to a supporter of slavery – I can tolerate every speculative opinion – But it is not a matter of speculation – The distinctions between right and wrong – or that between truth & falsehood. – The denial of a personal God may be a mere verbal blunder a metaphysical crotchet  absurdity – but he who really denies or does not believe in Goodness is as unfit for social life as if he did not perceive the relations of quantity or wanted the organs of Sense – A sort of idiot of the heart – he would be out of the sphere of censure because no object of moral appreciation

      But why write thus to you Who on this subject feel as I do? I am now in a house of Invalids – Every variety of illness & infirmity ^is here^ – All the little good that remains in any of us, in the nature of things, cannot last long – We are all walking on the edge of a precipice – Yet while the Sun shines above And the ground is pleasant we manage to enjoy ourselves to the last – It is well it is so – that is – all the good we can snatch, we do right in seizing –

       Mrs Wordsworth expects me soon And has asked for me – I would rather wait till Parliament rises But I shall do what she wishes – Leaving Suffolk at all events in a fortnight, my stay in town will depend on circumstances – Few will remain in August or return before  November I expect –

       Mrs Bayne – How is she now? I should like to know about her – She was prevented by an attack of Bronchitis from joining our party – I regret her it much  It is of importance that she should be preserved from being engrossed by a party who would convert her piety into sacerdotal formalism – As sh long as she retains her friendship for you & your Sister And sees how much of the spirit of religion may subsist without superstition She is in no danger – Kenyon too & his amiable Austrian Sister – And the brother who has brought them together And who seems not at ease – suspecting I think, that the Austrian governt is what he dares not call it before his wife the wretched supporter of what is a curse to humanity – Do you see them?

       And Wilkinson – how is he now? I look up to him with a distrusting admiration – have you seen yet the Divine Drama? It is a marvellous book  – I feel my incapacity to appreciate it; but the sense of my growing infirmities of mind does not make me unhappy – Remember me suitably to all the friends I have named – I would include Mrs Sturch & the Taylers family, but they are probably gone already so no more      

       With great regard

             Your obliged friend

                         H. C. Robinson 

Mrs Reid          

 † viz Dan Oconnel A man who may be the subject of a doubt whether he in life did more good or harm – he did both --

No Address, Postmark, or Endorsement 

Text:  BC/RF/103/4/12, Archives, Royal Holloway University of London.