Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, London, to Mrs Staveley, [no address], 16 December 1856. 

30 Russell Square

16th Dec: 1856

Dear Madam

       It was not till yesterday that I obtained sufficient information to render it worth your while to open this letter –

      Our amiable & very hospitable friend Mr Kenyon died on the 3d Instant after long & much suffering, so that his death was a release & much desired by his friends – Messrs Hawthorne & Booth are his Executors  His brother Edward died shortly at Vienna a short time before – Happily Mr K: was able to make the requisite changes in his Will he had no other near relation – His property has been distributed among many friends And I am told in a way that does credit to his benevolence and judgement  I have heard a few particulars  He has given £5000 to our Hospital which greatly needed it on the ground that an unjust prejudice was raised against it on a <–> the pretence of its being connected with a godless college –!!

      The complaint which carried him off was a disease of the heart – He died calmly & in the possession of his mental powers –

      His memory will survive with among friends with many – And a bond of union among many is broken –   

       I have forwarded your address to Mrs Plumptre – She is immersed in business, her husbands pupils demand all her time

       I shall not fail to deliver your message to Mrs Long –

      Your Cousin Dr Rolleston is one of the most promising young men – he is universally respected – His talents are rare and they are recognised – I consider his success as  nearly certainl Exposed to the ordinary accidents of life only – My brother still lives And my niece is inconsolable for her irreparable loss –

       I am told that I am looking in good health I do not feel well – I go may be called away any day – And I no long [sic] visit as I did –

       I thank you for the mention of a letter of mine – There was one your sister spoke of as what she should preserve –

       I am therefore curious to see it you are welcome to read it, if you think it worth while – And then, throw it in the fire or put it [in] the post as you think best

       Should you have picked up among the rubbish of your Sisters drawers (every body has such) have found either of two insignificant papers – A little Obituary of Robertson of Brighton or a Protest on the Catholic Question you would do me a favor if you would reserve them for me – I have a special want of them – But there is no hurry about it –

       It is a pity you mentioned Mrs D. And in such violent terms – I have not called in Orchard Street since your Sister’s death. I from the first declined entering into this matter – Only this I ought to say That your Sister led me to think favorably of her And the favorable opinion of others has confirmed this impression – You say this was a fascination – It may have been so –

       But you who know Italy well – know that there are two sorts of fascination that of the Evil-eye as well as that of the Love-potion –

       I am not competent to decide in the present case – nor wish to investigate

       It would promote your comfort to forget her altogether –

             I am sincerely yours

                                     H. C. Robinson

Mrs Staveley

No address, postmark, or endorsement.

Text: ALS/R86, Royal College of Physicians, London.