Henry Crabb Robinson, Athenaeum, to Angela Georgina Burdett-Cootts, Great Western Rail Way Hotel, Wednesday Evening, undated [4 November 1858]. Postmark: London NO 4 58.

Dear Miss B. Cootts,

       Coming home yesterday Evening, after a fatiguing afternoon in the city, not to my legs but to my spirits, I was refreshed by the sight of a [leash?] of birds which had been left in your name – A sense of kindness experienced is the most exhilarating of cordials: I was desirous of saying this to you to day, And I called accordingly at your temporary residence – But the brisk bright day kept you out your Servant was not within, so that I could make no enquiry about your or Mrs Brown’s health –

       I have read with much amusement nothing to wear – But could not till to day pick up – “Two Million”  I shall soon I trust be able to give an account of it – It looks well – [f. 17v] Did you read last weeks Saturday Review – The two great impostures of the age French and American are exhibited with unflinching truth and severity – There is so much to read that I have not yet been able to peruse that most inviting publication Montatemberts eloquent discourse in Vindication of the English rule in India for which the Emperor has orderd a prosecution – I am curious to know on what grounds –+

       Hoping soon to find you and Mrs Brown are both in improved health – for I shall not be deterred by my ill luck to day

                                                 &c &c &c                                            

                                                           Your obliged

                                                                         [friend]

                                                                         H. C. Robinson

+In the Correspondent

It is only on foreign and ancient topics that there is any freedom of writing – But it seems that even these, hitherto, safe topics are now excluded from that privilege --

Text:  Add. MS. 85291, f. 17, British Library.