Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, London, to Mary Wordsworth, Rydal Mount, 17 February 1855.

17th Feb. 1855

My dear friend

     Aware of your difficulty in reading, tho’ you can write as I perceive very legibly, having your letter to Miss Fenwick still by me, I add these few lines to what I have already written –

     I have not heard from Mrs Clarkson lately – She has had troubles of her own – And serious ones which she could not write about, if she could write with ease which she cannot. I shall perhaps soon write again, for I am told she is glad to hear from me tho’ she cannot muster strength to write or dictate to me – You are my chief object in writing to her –

     As to poor Mr Rogers about whom you enquire you recollect the effect, temporary effect, produced on Miss Wordsworth by the death of her brother.  In a different way and not to the same extent he revivd somewhat, and being told of her death, he said without any expression of feeling other than satisfaction – She is happy and I shall be soon – I had called upon him & Miss R: at Brighton some time before; he seemed to know me, but I am not sure that he did. It was so with Miss R: but she seemed to have a livelier recollection. The family did not wish me to call again on either of them. Miss Martha Rogers who attended on Miss R— it is said will now attend on W R. The Sharpes I frequently see – Let me be rememberd not only to your own family, Mrs Hutchinson included but also to the Arnolds, especially to the Lieut.t with whom I have been in correspondce – I shall write to him before spring – no signs of it yet –

     Poor Harriet Martineau – I am sorry that I have not returned towards her till the close of her career the friendly feelings I once encouraged – She has many excellent qualities And has been misled I fear by excess of vanity, excusable when one thinks how she has been tempted by excess of applause & visited by chancellors & Prime Ministers without the introduction of family fortune or beauty – the usual attractions!

     And now dear friend let me add I hope to see Rydal in the warm weather

    My other Rydal kind friends not to be forgotten dear Mrs Fletcher and the Harrisons Mrs Davy & good Mr Carr Roughsedges &c &c &c

                             Ever affectionately

                                         &c &c &c

                                                      H. C. Robinson

Mrs Wordsworth

Text: WLL, Robinson, Henry Crabb/33, Wordsworth Trust and Museum, Grasmere. The above letter was attached to the previous letter dated 17 February.