Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, to Angelina Georgina Burdett-Cootts, 1 Stratton Street, Piccadilly, London, 26 December 1860.  

Dear Miss Cootts,

       What an overflowing kindness your’s must be! And by what a capacious memory aided – Since you will recollect those – apparently – those who seem to have forgotten you

       I have never so little forgotten you as since I have neglected to fulfill a promise I made, And which recollection has been accompanied by self reproach at my own blundering stupidity

      I have been looking in vain for what I thought I could find any day – And one day, though when I am at as great a loss as ever, I certainly shall!

       The thing is worth nothing, but what you wish to see it give it, and therefore it is something –

      [f. 38r] My Christmas day was renderd merry first by your tasteful, playful, present – Tho’ I had experienced your kindness before, yet when I saw this last expression of it, it seemed as it were a novelty – I use merry in its traditional Sense – on which an antiquary might expatiate –

      I had an unusually interesting dinner yesterday – which you will better understand I hear, tomorrow for I met at Dr Booths with a Cornish Gentleman Dr Skey – whom you will see to day – A Mr Pen – My pen refuses to spell his name. His face speaks pages of benevolence and knowledge – There were also a Doctor Rae and an Irish Humourest – and poet a W Lover. – Do ask your friend the Dr And he will tell you about them both what my fingers would smart in the attempt to write –

      So no more then this – As I must by the same post send a few lines to Mrs Brown – That I from the bottom of my heart wish you every enjoymt which the consciousness of what you confer can convey

                         I know no better standard

                                     &c &c &c

                                                 H. C. Robinson

Postmark: London DE 26 60 

Text: Add. MS. 85291, ff. 37-38, British Library.