Thomas Paynter, Kensington, to Henry Crabb Robinson, [30 Russell Square, London], 2 May 1854.

[f.51r]

Kensington

2 May. 1854

My dear Robinson

       You are right in thinking that neither Mr Francis nor Mr Awdrey had the care of either of my sons &, if my former note purported the contrary, I expressed myself indistinctly; Mr Awdrey however, while assistant to Mr Barton at Stanmore, took a part in the instruction of my eldest son & it was from this connection with him that he become known to me.

       Of Dr Brandis of Bonn I know more & cd speak more confidently because he had a sort of surveillance over my youngest son while at Bonn & was very kind & useful to him: but Dr Brandis is well known to yourself, at least by reputation, and I need not therefore speak of him further than to say that I entertain the highest opinion of him: I hardly know a more pleasing, gentlemanly, man: his house is always full of young English of good connections.

       I have been suffering much from my distressing complaint – & hope to get to Aix next week: <   > on Tuesday next. – ever sincerely yours

                                                Thomas Paynter

H. C. Robinson Esqr

I was much gratified by your former letter.

If you come to see me let it be tomorrow, Thursday or Friday, but not Saturday: If not however, put yourself out of the way to come.

I much regret I cannot be of further use to Lady Byron; but I have no use of my legs & cannot run about as I have been used to do: I am also much pressed by heavy & weighty cares & that to do until I get away.

Text:  MS-DEP Lovelace-Byron 109, fol. 51, Bodleian Library, Oxford.