Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, London, at the Athenaeum, to Elizabeth Reid, 21 York Terrace, Regent’s Park, London, 15 October 1858.

Athenaeum

Oct. 15th 1858

My dear friend

       You probably expected to see me yesterday evening And tho’ there was no formal engagement, yet I fully intended being with you – I was prevented by an accident, not serious, but sufficiently so to interfere for some time with my accustomed freedom of motion – On stepping down the stairs of the University Hall my foot slipped And went on the ground with a force that caused a sprain on the muscle of the thigh which gave me great pain And lamed me for the Evening – I thought myself recoverd to day, but it does not seem so – I had business near the club but cannot go beyond And feel unwell –

       I was engaged on Wednesday in a different way, where I wish you had been An admirable lecture by Mr Malden Many ladies there of the right sort There was J. J. Tayler who proposed my going in the Evening to him And meetg Miss Winkworth &c &c I had much interesting news to hear abot Germany

       Pray read the Paper on Religious Profession in the National It will not fail to make a deep impression – It is one of the best things I have read for a long time –

       I found a Cab the moment I left your house on Tuesday And I shall go from hence in one

       I find the infirmities of old age rapidly glowing [sic] on me –

       My best regards to your Sister

            In haste

                        &c &c &c

                                    H. C. Robinson

So poor Tagart is gone – One is willing to think the best of the departed he was a kindhearted & friendly man The circumstances of his death are aweful in its suddenness.

Madge leaves his Chapel at Lady [Day] – now [who] is to supply their places? --

Text: BC/RF/103/4/22, Archives, Royal Holloway University of London.