Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, W.C., London, to William Wordsworth, Jr., [no address], 1 February 1859. 

30 Russell Square W. C.

1st Feb: 1859

My dear Mr W. Wordsworth,

     I infer from the terms of your letter that it is on your alighting from the Train at Euston Square Station that I am to have the pleasure of seeing you –

     I shall be at home, I have no doubt that morning Friday next, And I have engaged to breakfast with me that day – Dr Rolleston – An Oxford M. D. whose brother if not himself you in all probability know – He had a cure of Souls and (not bodies) in Westmoreland –

     There is too great uncertainty in R: R: trains to allow me to put off the breakfast till your arrival, but it will not be removed from the table when you arrive –

     It is impossible to speak of your honourd and beloved mother and her death in the usual terms –

     At such a death it is not lawful for any one but a Son to mourn – Strange paradox!

     The higher the excellence, the more perfect the character; – the less the grief – And yet in a qualified Sense this is undoubtedly true –

     Never was death more completely shorn of its terrors than in the cause case of both your parents –

     What you write about the legacy is gratifying and affecting – It will be accepted with pride: but what is to be done with it? – It must be kept apart It cannot be spent or used – nous verrons!

     I add no more – There will be opportunities, now that you will be in the neighbourhood of conferring on many subjects –

                         very truly yours

                                     H. C. Robinson

W. Wordworth Esq

Text: WLL, Robinson, Henry Crabb/45, Wordsworth Trust and Museum, Grasmere.  Robinson writes in his diary on 1 February 1859: ‘A letter from W. W. announcg his comg to me on Friday morng I wrote him word I shod be at home &c.’