Henry Crabb Robinson, 30 Russell Square, London, to George Scharf[e], [no address], 9 April [?].

30 Russell Sqr W. C.

9th April

My dear Scharfe

       Knowing how busy you are, I purposely take up this little bit of paper – So I must be short –

       1st I shall be happy to breakfast with you, perhaps on Thursday the 16th but I do not know where I shall sleep on Wednesday night –

       2d I shall leave directions here for the delivery of the bust and picture if required – I rather wonder at your qualified language – “if we have room for the picture” – I thought your room had been infinite And your objects to put in, finite You have my authority to send for it.

       3d Who is the Hayman whose picture you suppose me to possess? Je n’en scais uen –

       4th The only pictures I have besides – are Landors by ––– given my by Booth from Kenyon’s house I should say by B: & Miss Bayley – I doubt whether it would by be accepted by the Comme Commissioners of the Portrait Gally

       And one of Clarkson the Slave-trade abolitionist – I was about to say that I have given this to the N: Port: Gally and I have no doubt you will one day receive it as the Secretary or Registrar of the body

       But Carlyle has such a morbid love of slavery And hatred of all abolitionists that he may try to get it rejected as unworthy their reception of it – As a picture it is worth nothing.

       5 Now finally – pray do me this little Service – I presume all your official letters are duly sorted & preserved – Therefore mine consenty to the Commee havg my bust of Wieland by Schadou By which a strange blunder I have in my letter stated it to be the work of Schnorr – An evidence of the every now & then occurring loss of my memory – so great as to amount to a kind of defect of intellect Pray get hold of the letter and put the right name instead of the wrong. You can have little idea how the Allen’s rejoiced at your two fold good fortune as legatee and nominated Secretary.

       If you see Mr Schunck pray remember me to him –

             Very truly your’s

                                                      H. C. Robinson

Geo: Scharfe Esqr

My stay at M: on this occasion will be short but I am invited to the Abbey in June for a longer time –

Text: ENG. Ms. 1282 1/125, Fairfax Murray Collection: Miscellanea, 1800-1909, John Rylands Library, Manchester.