Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, to Augustus de Morgan, 1 January 1858.

My dear Sir

       I ought to have answerd your benevolent letter before but I had mislaid it before and so &c  – I shall have no objection to speak to the Secretary about Mrs Dyer with respect to whom, I have no doubt he will be her friend, if you disclaim the very false ground on which you wish me to speak to him; that I have more influence then yourself – tout au contraire—; And inform me how I am to understand and represent the income she has of £14 a year – Is that, actual income, or the promise of a pound per Annum of a number of us?

       I was about to ask of you when I should see you at the College that to whom I should pay my own –

       As to the Autographs  I fear you cannot expect much from those you speak of

        [f. 50v] Those who would give money for Autographs are not likely to be interested in such names as you have written down – It is the regal crown that gives value to the Autograph – not the berry, the berry of the laurel which they say is the original of the Academical B. A. bacco laureatus  – This by the bye is not a fiction perhaps as I saw at Lyons the scholar had actually a laurel put on his head when he took his degree and which he generally snatchd off as quick as possible – & gave to his names

       I know no Collector of Autographs  The best chance would be joining them to other collections And selling them by auction

                                                Best Comps to

                                                            very truly your’s

                                                                                    H. C. Robinson

Mrs De Morgan & de Morgan Esqr &c &c

Text:  Ms. Autograph, d. 14, f. 50, Bodleian Library.