Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, London, to Lady Anne Isabella Byron, [no address], 1 January 1855,

[f. 76r]

London

30 Russell Square

1st Jan: 1855

Dear Lady Byron,

       I am but little acquainted with the customs of members of your Order (to avail myself for one of Earl Grey’s Vocabulary), but I suspect you are rather incommodated [sic] to day by a superfluity of notes of congratulation – If so, you will not add to the inconvenience by noticing this, that or what may be considerd the formal part of it “The happy new year” – by the bye, which is very different “from the merry Christmas[”] – I am afraid that even the soberer wish may in your ear or before your eye have something of irony in its appearance – Is it reasonable to expect that the commencement of a fierce & dangerous war should be the herald of peace & joy? – And of which war this is the peculiar feature that its danger and calamities arise from its necessity and justice – You will not generalise such a remark as this which would be heretical in the judgement of a narrow minded Theodicy

       However, I did not mean to try your patience with these commonplaces – But I write simply to express the great pleasure your late notes have [f. 76v] given, And to add a few book-remarks to those you have so condescendingly received – after adding to the account I have given you of Mr J. J. Tayler – Now that his hopes, resting on the accomplishments of his Son, are fatally crushed, as to their being fulfilled here – he will be drawn more closely to the welfare, the spiritual welfare of his Co-religionaires – the evening before he left town, (this day week) I saw him & Mrs T: & rejoiced to witness their dutiful & pious serenity – I had before his own personal affliction had arisen, borne him the thanks of my friend Paynter & his Orthodox wife for the comfort they had derived from his “Christian Aspects”  He was of course gratified – And added with <–> ^evident^ pleasure that Lady Lovelace had manifested a similar sentiment! He was thus consoled in anticipation when his own trial came. He heartily rejoiced in your accession to what he deems as you do, a noble attempt at all events – Have you ever read the admirable article by J. J. T. which was the immediate occasion of the separation – His Review of Dean Milman’s Hist: of the Latin Church –? Pray read it, if you have not – It is in Mr T’s peculiar style – There are no draw backs on his Excellencies

       [f. 77r] And therefore one may confess without hesitation that there may be found in the writings of James Martineau passages of a splendour richer than any thing that his friends writings contain – But then he mars the effect by a rash expression ruining a sentiment essentially good –

       For my part I can enjoy a book which like the Divine Drama is a perpetual puzzle, who how such exquisite morsels of eloquence can be found in the same page with such monstrosities – 

      In matters of taste I care nothing or the incongruities but in the more serious affairs of conscience includg religion, morals, & legislation one is afraid of admiring what proceeds from such a mind – The Critics seem afraid of the book.

       There is much too that I dislike in the little book on the Cholera by Dr Wilkinson – He would be as intolerant towards the Allopathists, as they, that is, the whole medical world besides are towards the Homeopathists!!!

       My memory is so bad that I cannot now recollect whether you are acquainted with his little books on Swedenborg – And on Blake that crazy poet who taught to express in mystical poetry all the metaphysical dreams in which he has thrown away his life?

       There are in the last Inquirer some amusing [f. 77v] extracts from Wilkinson made by Richd Hutton The first leading article in that paper has some happy thoughts unhappily expressed – The ingenious bringing together of the sieges of Troy & Sebastapol – is worthy all praises – except that given to good writing – I wish something could be done for R: Hutton, by which I mean, I wish the means cod be found for enabling him to do for himself – He is not an imbecile to be provided for – he is the strong man who wants the burthen that he may exhibit to his strength, not as others do, place it on other men’s shoulders.

       Your remarks on Suaviter in modo are too true I am sorry you have had the power to make them – One must alter a word in applying the well known lines And say – Where ignorance is bliss, Tis wretched to be wise.

       Mr Tayler in his last parting letter to me named three new contributors to the Review-fund – Lady Coltman, widow of the Judge, Mr Duckworth, and Mr Daniel Gaskell, of Lupton – All highly esteemed among the earnest free-thinkers –

       I concur in your sentiment fully concerning Mack[ay] and I have no doubt I shall also as respects Maurice’s his last book I have not yet ventured on: But I am readg his Sermons on Sacrifice – The subject, very difficult I was charmed with that on Cain & Abel – Those which follow are less intelligible – I perhaps should do well not to venture on the district where we hear on good authority that fools are more bold than the wise –  

       My friend Mrs Reid is on a visit to Miss Montgomery I hope you have seen her – She is an excellent woman with many ^some^ faults, but none that I do not like her better for                With all due remembces &c &c

                         faithfully yours

                                     H. C. Robinson

Lady Noel Byron

Text:  MS-DEP Lovelace-Byron 109, fols. 76-77, Bodleian Library, Oxford.