Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, London, to Lady Anne Isabella Noel Byron, [no address], 6 February 1855.

[f. 81r]

London

30 Russell Square

6th Feb. 1855

Dear Lady Byron

       I ought not to omit informing you that the Lieutt answerd my letter communicating the Award, warmly thanking me for it: I should perhaps rather say that he expressed the like Sentiment which constituted your short note to me. “I am sure that your decision is a just one And places me in a more honourable & satisfactory position than I otherwise should have been in – After a little politics, he desires his kind remembrances to you, if I should be writing.

       Mr Arnold you know is a whig – He might reject the name perhaps, since that appellation refers rather to certain great families, than popular interests – than ^instead of^ retaining David Humes definition.  That of the party which would strengthen that ^the power^ of the people which most needs strengthening while the Tories would strengthen the Crown as most needing strength.

       This is analogous to a shifting trust – Since the Reform act I have been less a Whig than I used to be – And I disclaim universal suffrage As I do other mischievous claims to power.

       [f. 81v] At our meeting this day week, it was agreed substantially that there should be a suspence of all further action on our part in the way of the National Review.

       The Prosp: Rev: has now appeard as before with a short preliminary notice saying as little as may be – Of course – to use a law-word there is no privity between the two reviews.

       I do not think the Prosp: Rev: will be enlarged And of course no part of the funds intended for the National will be applied for the Prosp Rev: And I presume the monies actually advanced will be returned to those who had advanced them

       J: M: dies hard – An attempt has been made to renew the negociation And the publishers first consulted, might still be had, could we obtain an avowed editor a Clergyman of the Establishment – They named a learned, very learned D. D.  His accepting of the Editorship would be the ruin both of himself and of the Rev: I use the word ruin in a sense I ought to be ashamed of – I will not do him the wrong, to make the proposal to him.

       If we ever do come into excellence, he may be a nursing father, as good as a King or bishop perhaps.

       J: M: is out of spirits at our failure – And talks of doing no more for the Prosp Rev: We ought not to require much of him – He will be gladly accepted by the Edinb: Rev: Edit: And he needs the Honorarium.

       I wish too that employment could be found for R: H:  –  by the bye – He called on me the other day. And I informed him of your note about an article you could procure on Reformatory Schools – Which would have been good for the might have been Rev:  –  It occurred to me that perhaps it might appear in the new Series or Vol: of the Prosp: –  To my surprise however I found that you and J M: & R: H are not quite at one on the subject – And by the bye, it was you who first told me that a friend of mine had taken the Devil under his protection – (not your words however –) I was in a puzzle when R. H. laughed And said I suppose Lady B means me – Now Göthe in a certain sense also did [f. 82r] not approve of calling in question the reality of an idea so personified – For if One be an imaginary being – A degraded Arisman, the Second person of the Manichaeans what may not the other be?  Etymology, makes it more probable – For what is God but Der Gute – The good – And droll enough what is the Deuce? but the negative Dis – the river below – the Second – the material – &c &c &c – However as Robert Robinson answerd a pious minister – who said in a tone of alarm – Dont you believe in a the Devil? Oh No! I believe in a God dont you?

       I was enquiring about a Mistress or Master but I have heard only of a young girl who may one day become a young an excellent mistress –

       I meant to say a word about the state of politics – but why say anything on a subject of which I really know nothing – I am not able to make up my mind as to Lord John – As to the Court I have only wishes and fears – scarcely hopes – and certainly no opinions. 

        I have however One other Sense – that of Shame at having written you so long & profitless a letter

                         very truly your’s

                                    H. C. Robinson

The Lady Noel Byron   

Text:  MS-DEP Lovelace-Byron 109, fols. 81-82, Bodleian Library, Oxford.