Anthony Robinson, Wigton, Cumberland, to George Dyer, No. 45 Carey Street, near Lincolns’s Inn Fields, London, 18 March 1794.

Dear Sir

I was extremely glad to be informed that you had undertaken the life of the late Rob.t Robinson.  He merits a distinct record, by the disinterestedness of his conduct, the greatness of his genius, and the true liberality of his principles & sentiments.  When I was informed that the documents were given to a wretched Scotch Tory, who was to write his Life, it gave me very sensible pain – but the removal of the papers has removed my pain   I will give to Society new Instruction.

I do not know that you mean to publish the work by Subscription, else I should now beg you to set me down for 6 Copies – I presume a small 8vo will be the Volume you meditate, indeed it should not be too large a Vol, for the poor to whom the gospel was first preached should be able to obtain a picture of their steady friend.  How similar your conduct & opinions in many respects to his – & consequently how fit to represent them truly, & give them their proper weight & importance!   It has been said M.r Robinson was more the friend of freedom than truth as he taught men to enquire, not to dogmatize!  He like the truly illustrious D.r Price was not a propagandist of dogmas, but of freedom of thought--this is one of their peculiar & most characteristic excellencies.  Such men are the only friends of Truth, as that can be discovered only by enquiry, which their labors were directed to stimulate, truth (if any sentiment may be dignified by a general epithet) when received upon the authority of any teacher, without examination & research, is of little importance & of light effect.  This was a peculiarity in Robinson’s Style of Preaching--it was extremely familiar, & calculated for a popular audience, but it wanted strength & vigour--it delighted in illustration & figure rather than arguments, & had been adopted, I think, from the French Writers--the happy & abrupt introduction of anecdote, appears to me something in the manner of Voltaire. 

He had more imagination than acuteness of mind--yet his thoughts were in eternal activity.

But why am I intimating to you my Ideas of the man, when you intimately knew & can most accurately delineate – I wish your Volume may soon, very soon, appear.

I congratulate you on the public demand of a 2nd Edit of your essay on Subscription.  I hope that work will hasten the time when Integrity shall be relieved from her multiplied persecutions – But, alas! what shall we wish for – Despotism is detestable, & you see in a neighbouring country, the fair Image of freedom stained with precious blood!

It is now six or Seven Years since I spent a few days with you at Cambridge – How eventful has this period been!  Yet the man of true benevolence feels little of joy – if he rejoices it is with trembling.

Strange order of a perfect Providence o’er imperfect Man!  What do you say to these things, my dear Sir, for your benevolence will be deeply interested?

M.r Freeman of Ponder’s End [favored] me with your address, to whom when you see him be good enough to present my Compliments.

I hear Priestley is off for America--I hope he will long live the ornament of Society & the teacher of true Philosophy--He has been much injured & calumniated here, for never did there live a Man more sincerely friendly to the peace of this Country –

Shall I be favored with a line! – Tell me what you know, what you think, – write in the freedom of friendship, to one, who has the honor to be,  

most sincerely yours –

Antho.y Robinson

Wigton.  Cumberland

18 March.  1794 –

Text: George Dyer Collection, Emmanuel College, Cambridge University, Col. 9.12.1.C. Postmarked from Wigton, 20 March 1794.