Henry Crabb Robinson, [30 Russell Square], to William Aryton, Athenaeum, undated. 

My dear Ayrton

     I have as strong an assurance, as if I had been told so, that you invited yourself last week for my friend W Chambers Ball and I thank you for your exertions –

     On Monday comes on the ballot for my friend Prandi – but I have not the slightest hopes of his success – He is a very honourable & excellent man, but then he is a political exile – There must be a round dozen of Tories in whose eyes this is an unpardonable offence – Tho’ a man of good family & very gentlemanly in his habits, yet he has in fact become a language master – There must be an equal number of aristocrats who will not distinguish. If he be elected, I shall [f. 73v] think the age of miracles is not passed away and that the Athenaeum is a reformed Society –

     It is not on his account I write so much as on behalf of a Gentleman, whose ballot I have only to day learned comes on next Monday A man with whom I am not intimate, but whom I estimate very highly indeed And who is in every respect fit for our club – I will tell you something about him – And you will communicate my information where it ought to be known – For it would not be to all a recommendation – He is Mr D. R. Craig a barrister. He is the son of a dissenting minister – was not intended for the bar originally but put himself rather late under Bellenden  Ker By Ker he was recommended to the Ministry when draughtsmen were wanted during the Reform [f. 74r] period, And he was employed to draw the municl boundary acts – He was found to be an able man of business and was taken by Littleton to Ireland as his private secretary – When L: became Lord I’ve forgot his name – Craig was offerd office by the new Irish Secretary but he made his election between politics & law in favor of the law And he has since been a rising man – He is a laborious & tedious & quiet man – very gentlemanly & agreeable – And tho’ a thorough reformer yet by no means a violent or pushing man – So he would rather be with us than in the great house, our new neighbour.  I will thank you to give him your support & I as said before, make this known in fit places – And especially to our common friends such as Amyot, Henderson, Ridout &c &c &c

                 Very truly your’s

                    H. C. Robinson

W: Ayrton Esqr

Address: W. Ayrton Esqr / Athenaeum.

Text:  Aryton Collection, Add. MS. 52341, fols. 73-74, British Library.