The Express.
London, England, 1867-02-07 00:00:00

DEATH OF MR. HENRY CRABB ROBINSON:

Ott Tuesday took place at his residence in Rua-
sell-square, the death of Mr. Henry Crabb Robinson,
whose name is intimately associated with some of the
greatest literary notabilities of the present century.
Every one who has read the biographies of Wordsworth
and Lamb will be familiar with Mr. Robinsoc's name.
He was the intimate friend end not unfrequently the
Mavens of some of the most remarkable of English
authors and artiste. To the poet-painter, Blake,
he was especially kind, and the value of Blake's produc-
tions was early recognised by him. In Gilchrist's " Life
of Blake," recently published, will be found many anec.
dotes supplied to the author from the well-stored memory
of Mr. Robinson. To Goethe be was known intimately as
a friend and correspondent. Some of the happiest sayings
of Lamb were preserved by his veteran companion. One
which has been often told relates to Mr. Robinson's first
brief,—for he was a barrister by profession, although
we believe he never but once went on circuit.
On hurrying to Lamb, with the brief in his hand and
with an exultant air, he exclaimed, " Look here, Lamb ;
I have got my first brief." The humourist smiled, 11121 i
replied in a well-known quotation from Pope, " I suppose
you said of it, Robinson—' Thou first great cause, least
understood."' It was Robinson who endeavoured, though
without emcee, to bring about an intimacy between
Wordsworth and Blake, and the result of his attempt is
among the moot curious of the anecdotes told of the
latter. In more recent times Mr. Robinson was
known to a very large and cultivated circle in London,
by whom his pleasant recollections, his fund of good
temper, and hie extensive knowledge of men and things
were greatly esteemed. Although he bad reached his
92nd year his mind was in full activity. lip to within
a very short time of his death he was frequently to be
met in Russell-square, accompanied only by his man-
servant. He took a particular interest in University
College, of which institution he had been one of the
earliest supporters. In the recent controversy respect-
ing the professorship of mental philosophy and logic his
sympathies were warmly in favour of Professor Martineau.
At one stage of the proceedings, the votes of the council,
of which Mr. Robinson was a member, were equal, and
the latter, who had not foreseen the extent of the opposi-
tion, greatly regretted that his absence had prevented Mr.
31artineau'a election.

Mr. Robinson was unmarried, and his means always
enabled him to indulge his literary and artistic tastes in a
high degree. He will be mimed by the younger genera.
Lion, with whom his genial nature had always made him a
great favourite, as much as by the older men who were
more of his day.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury had
a select dinner party last evening at their residence in
Arlington-street.

The Right Hon. Seymour Fitzgerald, the new
Governor of Bombay, attended by his secretary, Captain
Felgate, and Captain Fitzgerald, passed through Malta on
the 30th ult., on his way to Bombay.
_ _ _ _ _ _

Miss Heath, daughter of General Heath, was
married on New Year's-day, at Kurrathee, to Colonel
Thesiger, eldest son and heir of Lord Chelmsford.

Serjeant Barry, on an early day, will bring for-
ward a bill to extend to Ireland the existing law of Eng-
land respecting the presence and employment of military
at parliamentary elections.

Mr. Lawson, to-morrow, brings in the House of
Commons a bill to open the professorship. of anatomy and
surgery, chemistry and botany, in the Universityof Dublin,
to all persons irrespective of their religious creed.
Mr. Neste has given notice of his intention to
bring forward, to-morrow, a bill to exempt during a
limited time associations of workmen which are in respect
of any part of their constitution entitled to the benefits of
the Act 18 and 19 Vick, C. 63, from forfeiture of those
benefits by ratios of their being in other parte of their
constitution adapted to the purposes of a trade union.

The Duc d'Alencon, accompanied by Baron Bache,
left Calcutta two or three weeks ago for the famous cities of
Upper India, on his way to Bombay.