Diary, Reminiscences, and Correspondence

lays the foundations of all truth deeper than the external and visible world; if religious feeling lie in humble submission to the unknown Infinite Being, who produced all things, and in a deep sense of the duty of striving to act and live in conformity with the will of that Being; if, further, Christianity consist in acknowledging the Christian Scriptures as the exposition of the Divine will, and the guide of human conduct—then, surely, he may boldly claim to be a member of that true Christian Catholic church, according to his own definition of it-An association of men for the cultivation of knowledge, the practice of piety, and the promotion of virtue.'"*

Mr. Robinson was an earnest thinker on the profoundest and most difficult religious subjects. This was especially the case in his old age. As we like to look up to the stars, though we may not be able to tell their magnitude or their distance, and to behold the majesty of the sea, though we may not be able to fathom its depths, so he seemed to be attracted to the great problems of religion, as if he liked to feel their infinitude, rather than hoped to find their solution. He stated as his experience, that "Religion in age supplies the animal spirits of youth." His old age had its pathetic side, as, indeed, every old age must have.

Those who, in his later years, met him in society, and saw how full of life he was, with what zest and animation he told his old stories, merely requiring, now and then, help as to a name or a date, may easily have imagined his strength greater than it really was.

Monthly Repository, 1827, p. 293.

But, though few, perhaps, have ever so closely watched the approach of infirmity, and though he was in the habit of saying, "Growing old is like growing poor, a sort of going down in the world," his frequent expression was, "This does not make me melancholy." And when, at last, "Everything seemed to tire," there was, with this feeling of mortal weariness, another feeling, which was that he was

"On the brink of being born."

T. S.

Hampstead.

The Editor desires to acknowledge the valuable assistance he has received; and would especially mention. James Gairdner, Esq., of the Record Office; George Scharf, Esq., one of Mr. Robinson's intimate and highly valued friends; and J. Morley, Esq., author of "Burke: a Historical Study," &c. Mr. Gairdner made the selections in some of the years. The proofs have had the advantage of additional notes, especially in connection with art, by Mr. Scharf, and of excellent suggestions by Mr. Morley. Dr. Wagner has rendered a like service, in regard to those parts which relate to Germany. The admirable paper by Mr. De Morgan, at the end of the third volume, speaks for itself. In acknowledging the kindness of Lady Byron's relatives, in regard to the letters by her, the Editor cannot but add the expression of a hope, that, before long, the public may have the opportunity of a fuller acquaintance with the correspondence of one capable of writing such letters.