Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, London, to Elizabeth Reid, [no address], 16 March 1858.

30 Russell Square

16th March 1858

My dear Mrs Reid,

       Thanks for your very kind letter, tho’ it is much mistaken in its most flattering portion In no part so much as that in which you intimate that I ought to be allowed to enjoy the retrospect of my past life – How mistaken! I never did any thing to be recollected with any thing like complacency & such as becomes a young man till I was becoming what is gen[era]ly thought to be old! I am ashamed of my youth – And have in secret lamented that I could not make up for indolence in youth by youthful activity in old age – In a very slight degree I may have partially succeeded – but why this Egotism? It is the only way of shewing you your mistake –

       The paper you will do with as you like It is meant for publicity – I will leave another with you – I have another larger pamphlet which I cannot give you but must return to Mrs Brown And parts of which I shall <–> read to you – This must tell its own tale

       I wish one of these days when you have been or are going to your college you would take me in your way – And sit half an hour with me either alone or with any one else – I will reward you for your condescension by reading to you a letter that will delight you beyond measure tho’ you might not agree with it in all respects It is by Robertson to Miss ––– No curiosity is the strongest motive in women – That we[’]ve Bible Authority for –

       I shall take this now to the college And leave it for you there if you are too busy to be spoken to –

       With sincere regard to yourself And sister &c

                        your friend

                                    H. C. Robinson 

Mrs Reid

Text: BC/RF/103/4/21, Archives, Royal Holloway University of London.