Henry Crabb Robinson, Bury St Edmunds, to Mary Wordsworth, [Rydal Mount], 21 August 1858.

Bury St Edmunds

21st Augt 1858

My dear friend

    I ought to have forwarded you the accompanying pair of Pannus Corium ^Shoes^ before, but I found no convenient opportunity I recollect your light step And do not wonder that the old pair should have lasted so long – & apparently answerd their purpose so well – May these fit you & be as comfortable as the other And may have you be wearing them with satisfaction when I next have the pleasure of hearing your voice – which never expresses any feeling but that of good will towards all men –

     My brother is here free from pain and that is in his condition, a negative blessing

     My niece is very much better – And we are enjoying splendid weather here – She desires to be remember[ed] ^to you^ I expect to remain here till early in October, perhaps longer

                     Respects to all friends

                                 Ever affectionately yours

                                                      H. C. Robinson

Mrs Wordsworth

     I hope your news from Sydney continues to be in all respects as well as it ever has been

     There is no life so hard at its commencement as the life of a Colonist And it is one which more than any other regularly improves  It is a triumph to industry and perseverance – skilled labour has its sure reward

    If your grandson Henry remains there, he will probably be the founder of a noble race – some generations hence – And then that noble family may boast of being descended from that great English ^poet^ One of the Classier of the England As Sir Robt Peel said to his Son who took a prize at Harrow

     It will be recollected by you hereafter that this prize was given you in the presence of the great man who will be honourd centuries hence as Homer and Virgil are now.

     Give my good wishes to your grandson Henry, when you write by the hand of a friend

                        Affectionately yours

                                                H. C. Robinson

Mrs Wordsworth

Text: WLL, Robinson, Henry Crabb/43, Wordsworth Trust and Museum, Grasmere. Robinson does not mention this letter in his diary on 21 August, but the day before he notes that he had asked his friend Blane ‘to procure from the maker my Pan:[nus] Cor:[ium] Shoes.’