Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, London, to Lady Anne Isabella Byron, [no address], 13 November 1854.

[f. 62r]

London

30 Russell Square

13 Nov: 1854

Dear Lady Byron

       I recollect your saying to me – “Should you in the course of your reading, find any thing that ... I should like to hear from you”  Now I cannot fill up this blank as, perhaps, I ought, to justify my writing this letter – And yet I have a distinct impression that you would not think it obtrusive were I to recommend to your attention any of the current literature on points which may be supposed to share our common sympathy – And at all events should the subject of this communication not interest you as much as it does me, yet you will not deem it obtrusive – And I may receive from you at infinitely little cost of trouble what will be most acceptable, your intimation that you are as satisfied as you were with Mr King’s governor And if the fact be so, that Bonne answers all your & their expectations – If your health too has benefited by the fine genial weather – since I saw you last And you are not suffering [f. 62v] from the change – And you tell me this – I shall be glad I have written –

       The late Quart: Reviews have very much interested me – In the Prosp: especially, there is a short notice of 2 pages on Feuerbach:  “Essence of Xiany” p. 581 not so much on account of what ^it^ says in words, as what it indicates, which I consider of moment – As much as any thing can be which concerns directly, only the English – Xn free thinkers or Unitarians. I believe it is from the pen of our common acquaintance R: H: And read in connection with the notice in front of the number, intimates a separation of the two classes of free thinkers – in the organ they will in the future use for the promulgation of their respective schemes – The reckless & contented deniers of the Feuerbach school will retain the Westminster Rev: And have found, I understand in a wealthy layman, the means of sustaining the Rev: notwithstanding the commercial insolvency of their ^its^ publisher.  A large proportion of the best writers in that Rev: will certainly write in it ^no^ more – Such as, Jas M—And I am told, Froude, Hodson; &c &c and all that class characterised – no – not characterised but whose existence is supposed to be real – And to be distinguished from that of the loud & triumphant expanders of the doctrine & spirit of Mephistophiles who says

                         Ich bin der Geist

                           Der stets verneint

The means will be found [f. 63r] it is hoped to set up with adequate expectation of success, the new Rev: – But this is still a thing in formation – I shall rejoice if I in the result find myself among the small body by whom the new Rev: That is, the continued Prosp: will be in its higher pretensions established – Among our young men, are several of attainments that may enable them to compete with those of the proud establishment If you care for the speculative ethics involved in Bishops Butlers Sermons & Analogy, you will be gratified by the Art: on Rogers’s Life of Butler By a young friend of mine And of R: H: -- a banker in the country – educated at the Univ: College here.  The Art[icle] on the “School of Alexandria” is by Martineau  That on the French Alliance Chretienne is by J. J. Tayler. It gives hopeful information – But it is very likely who that you who devote yourself to services of practical beneficence And these, both numerous & important, may feel less curious about more speculations of this sort – And no one can regret that this is so –

       Were our excellent & lamented friend still among us, tho’ he could not unite even with the party which turns towards Religion, yet he would [f. 63v] wish them success, in their efforts to supersede the popularity of the reckless party of Feuerbach &c.

       Perhaps you do not see the Brit Quart Rev: It is a periodical of great ability – The Art: on Swift is very curious – And the Reviewers adoption of Göthes fine characteristic remark on the “demonic element” which Niebuhr sanctioned, surprised me while it delighted me – I see – Göthe is making way – The passage of this Art: should if it fall in your way, may be read from page 555 – The Art: on Spain & Espartero gives very important information & justifies hopes – In the last Quart: the capital article on Tooke is by Foster – That in the last Westminster on Diplomacy is by Mr Donne –

       But I must stop my hand lest I have not room to apologise for this letter which I would on no account allow to be extended beyond this side.

       And I must also ask – How stands it with the expected publication of the Sermons of Robertson? And how did you get on with the Divine Drama? It is singular – No one has yet ventured to review it formally – At least I have not heard of such a paper

       I have the honour to be

             Your Ladyship’s

                          obedient Servt

                                     H. C. Robinson

The Lady Noel Byron

Text:  MS-DEP Lovelace-Byron 109, fol. 62-63, Bodleian Library, Oxford.