Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, to Angela Burdett-Cootts, Torquay, 17 March 1857.    

Dear Miss Cootts,

       Paynter in answer to my letter of enquiry, begs me to present his grateful thanks for your recollection of his protegée: He took for granted that you knew as a matter of course that the Queen having given all her majesty’s votes in favor of this Orphan at once secured her Election.

       This reminds me of another kind act of your’s – You kindly gave your numerous votes to the protegée of another friend of mine W. Cookson I ought to be ashamed of not being able to recollect the name of the Charity or the object – After the election I asked W. C: what was [f.7v] the result – He said – did not succeed; but still I am under great obligation to Miss Cootts. And she has rendered great service, for her votes – are reckoned in the next years ballot – in favour of the unsuccessful candidate.  This was not accompanied by a formal request for a repetition of the favor. And indeed, your generous interpretation in the case of the other charity is a sufficient indication of your habits on such an occasion, which will always be the most liberal – Special reasons not interfering in an opposite direction –

       I need not protest that I did not mean to warn – that is – give a special warning either to Mrs Brown or your self applicable to all within the bankrupt laws – Not to owe any man any thing – I sent the Sermon because tho’ a mere moral discourse, One that my puritan ancestors – all but Antinomians would have scorned – because I thought it a remarkable specimen of that skill required to treat a common place topic in an uncommon way –

       [f.8r] To be useful – the splendid orator, which my friend James Martineau is, lays aside imagery to be useful to his Liverpool friends: The recollection of the place where this Sermon was delivered enhances its value –

       The epithet I made use of – no I used the word Substantively – brought to my mind a Mot the Sarcasm of which is not stronger than its truth.  It is a characteristick of the Word

                        “Antinomianism is Calvinism run to seed.”

       I wish a book were written with the Title Logic in Jests—Something like it is found Comic History of England comic Blackstone &c &c. It requires a fine tact to be efficient without Coarseness.

       I would in such a book illustrate all the specimens of false & mischievous reasons using the technical and pedantic terms in preference, to make the contrast more striking[.] How much might be done in that way, few think – All political & moral errors & blunders might be so exposed –

       [f.8v] The last weeks Examiner contains an excellent Epigram by Elliott the Corn Law Rhymer – Subtly showing up the folly of Communism – All the arrests by the Attorney general of Napoleon III are impotent in opposition

                  The Communist

What is a Communist? One who has yearnings

For equal division of unequal Earnings.

Bungler or Idler or both; he is willing

To fork out his penny And pocket your shilling.

So Horne Took checked Cant by a happy Word – Some one boasting that the English Courts of Law are open to rich and poor – replied True! So is the London Tavern –

       But it is impolitic in me to shift my letter thus, being what they are with the wisdom of others – I was almost sorry I addressed my last letter to Mrs Brown – It called forth so many painful recollections – Yet it made her feel one present blessing – I saw Wheatstone lately at the Athenaeum he is looking forward with pleasure to her visit.

         With all the known feelings and the communication of compt – I remain

                                 very truly your’s

                                                          H. C. Robinson

Miss Burdett Cootts

Torquay                                                                                                        

You kindly ask about my arrangements; unfortunately – I can make none – alone – or if made it cannot be binding on others – The Servant belongs to the house – But he made himself mine I cannot think of more than a temporary change while things remain as they are at Bury –

Text:  Add. MS. 85291, fols. 7-8, British Library.