Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, London, to [George Trevelyan], [no address], 7 November 1865.

30 Russell Square W.C.

Nov: 7th Octr 1865 

My dear Sir.

       I have to acknowledge the Receipt of three Pheasants from the Schnellerfeld Reserve!!!

       It is especially kind in you (tho’ it has an heretical tendency I must own) thus to recognise the existence of One who according to the assertion of the wisest of men in a work of infallible wisdom ought to have died twenty years ago – And we the rare recipients of each favour feel especially grateful for them –

      I must be careful how I utter these words according to the mot I met with – I forget where – of some one who being in my position and congratulated by a friend somewhat loudly crossed his lips with his fore finger as if to impose silence said in a half whisper Hush! or youll be over heard – I have been forgotten?

       But not by you it seems – And it is always a disputable point – Whether life should pass from us “by sudden blast or ^decline”^ slow decline” to use Johnson’s pathetic words –

       When I had last the pleasure of seeing you – You bore the marks of excellent health – I hope that was a reality And that it still remains –

       This is an age of disappointments personal and national – perhaps it has been always so – But I have never known one on so large [a scale] as that which now threatens humanity – A most bloody victory has been gained in favour of liberty – And the Master of Slaves has been forced to affect a formal surrender of his pretended rights But until 3-4ths of the States concur in this change of the Constitutn It is a state law that can be repealed any day –- There is but <–> apprehension in all this – For tho’ the President is ready to let all this be done And has said so Yet he will be opposed in Congress where the battle will be fought over again – And in the field too if it be not ended there – But it is sad enough that such a victory so bloody should be so ineffectual  I am my dear Sir

             very truly your obliged

                           H. C. Robinson

Text: Trevelyan Family Papers, G.O.T. 183, p. 125, Robinson Library, Special Collections, University of Newcastle.