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

[f. 79r]

London

30 Russell Square

30th Jan: 1855

       I felt myself highly flatterd by the proposal – made by Lady Byron and acquiesced in by Lieutt Arnold that I should be requested to decide as a sort of arbitrator, on the only difference that could possibly arise between persons of their character – There is a perfect agreement in the statement of facts, And I shall therefore refer to them as undisputed –

       I am satisfied that the unexpected and regretted end which was put to the relation of tutor and pupil originated solely in the Lieutenants change of views as to his future life And that it has taken place with feelings of reciprocal esteem and confidence, And since all reference to legal rights would be beside the question And the claims of each party are opposed to, and ^not^ in support of pecuniary interests; this conviction must be my chief guide And the preservation of those reciprocal feelings my object

       Lady Byron on remitting the sum due for the six months of actual Service, added the amount of the Salary for the six months for which there was no Service – Her ladyship alleges that it was she who actually put an end to the engagement Mr Arnold was then in a condition and willing to [f. 79v] afford it, which was uncertain when the first intimation of the necessity of putting an end to the engagement ^at some time^ was given by the Lieutt –

       Had Mr Arnold declined accepting any part of the Sum so offerd for possible and ^not^ actual Service, he might have subjected himself to the suspicion of entertaining Sentiments I need not indicate, and which certainly do not exist – But in retaining one half of the Sum so offerd, he shews his Sense of Lady Byron’s liberality; His declining to accept of the whole may be considerd as claiming a right to set limits to a generosity which he deems excessive.

       In litigations of the ordinary class, An Arbitrator frequently finds both parties somewhat in the wrong And is anxious to find who is so the least: – now, the question is the opposite one – Who is most in the right, on the mere question as to the £100 offerd and returned? – While they have acted alike honourably and delicately, yet on this particular point, I am of opinion, that it is my opinion the Lieutt who is most in the right, And in favor of whom therefore my decision is given.

                        H. C. Robinson

To Lady Noel Byron

and Lieutt Arnold &c 

Text:  MS-DEP Lovelace-Byron 109, fol. 79, Bodleian Library, Oxford.