Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 49.djvu/21

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Robinson
15
Robinson

1643–4; cf. Gardiner, Civil War, i. 290; and art. by Mr. C. H. Firth in the English Historical Review, ix. 715). 4. ‘An Answer to Mr. William Prynne's Twelve Questions concerning Church Government; at the end whereof are mentioned severall grosse Absurdities and dangerous Consequences of highest nature which do necessarily follow the Tenets of Presbyteriall or any other besides a perfect Independent Government, together with certain Queries,’ [1644], no place, no date. 5. ‘John the Baptist, forerunner of Christ Jesus, or a necessity for Liberty of Conscience as the only means under Heaven to strengthen Children weak in the Faith,’ no place, no date [? September 1644]. 6. ‘Certaine brief Observations and Anti-queries on Master Prin his 12 Questions about Church Government, wherein is modestly shewed how unuseful and frivolous they are. … By a well-wisher to the Truth and Master Prin,’ 1644. 7. ‘An Answer to Mr. John Dury his Letter which he writ from The Hague to Mr. Thomas Goodwin, Mr. Philip Nye, and Mr. Sam. Hartlib, concerning the manner of the Reformation of the Church and answering other Matters of consequence; and King James his Judgment concerning the Book of Common Prayer, written by a Gentleman of tried Integrity,’ London, 1644 (Thomasson's date 17 Aug.). 8. ‘The Falsehood of William Prynne's Truth triumphing in the Antiquity of Popish Princes and Parliaments: to which he attributes a sole sovereign legislative coercive Power in matters of Religion, discovered to be full of Absurdities, Contradictions, Sacrilege, and to make more in favour of Rome and Antichrist than all the Books and Pamphlets which were published, whether by papall or episcopall Prelates or Parasites since the Reformation …,’ London, 1645. 9. ‘Some few Considerations propounded as so many Scruples by Mr. Henry Robinson in a Letter to Mr. John Dury upon his Epistolary Discourse, with Mr. Dury's answer thereto … by a well-willer to the Truth,’ 1646 (Thomasson's date 18 July; pp. 1–10 Henry Robinson to John Dury, London, 1644, Nov. 5; pp. 11–31 John Dury to his loving friend in Christ Henry Robinson). 10. ‘A Short Discourse between Monarchical and Aristocratical Government, or a sober Persuasive of all true-hearted Englishmen to a willing conjunction with the Parliament of England in setting up the Government of a Commonwealth. By a true Englishman and a well-wisher to the good of his Nation,’ London, 1649. 11. ‘Briefe Considerations concerning the Advancement of Trade and Navigation,’ 1649 (Thomasson's date 8 Jan. 1649–1650). 12. ‘The Office of Addresses and Encounters where all People of each rancke and quality may receive Direction and Advice for the most cheap and speedy way of attaining whatsoever they can lawfully desire; or the only course for poor People to get speedy Employment and to keep others from approaching Poverty for want of Employment; to the multiplying of Trade, &c. By Henry Robinson,’ 1650 (Thomasson's date 29 Sept.); a proposition for establishing in Threadneedle Street a registry office or exchange mart for almost every business purpose conceivable. 13. ‘Certain Considerations in order to a more speedy, cheap, and equal distribution of Justice throughout the Nation, most humbly presented to the high Court of Parliament of the most hopeful Commonwealth of England. By Henry Robinson,’ London, 1651; in answer to this William Walwin wrote ‘Juries Justified,’ 2 Dec. 1651. 14. ‘Certaine Proposals in order to the People's Freedome and Accommodation in some particulars with the Advancement of Trade and Navigation of this Commonwealth in general humbly tendred to the view of this Parliament. By Henry Robinson,’ London, 1652. 15. ‘Certaine Proposals in order to a new modelling of the Lawes and Law Proceedings, for a more speedy, cheap, and equall distribution of Justice throughout the Commonwealth … as also certain Considerations for the Advancement of Trade and Navigation humbly propounded to … Parliament by Henry Robinson,’ London, 1653.

[Authorities given above; information kindly supplied by C. H. Firth, esq.]

W. A. S.


ROBINSON, HENRY CRABB (1776–1867), diarist, youngest son of a tanner who died in 1781, was born at Bury St. Edmunds on 13 March 1775. After education at small private schools, he was articled in 1790 to Mr. Francis, an attorney at Colchester. He heard Erskine conduct a case at the assizes, and fifty-four years afterwards he had a perfect recollection of the charm in the voice and fascination in the eye of the great orator. At Colchester he heard John Wesley preach one of his last sermons. In 1796 he entered the office of a solicitor in Chancery Lane, London; but in 1798 an uncle died, leaving Robinson a sum yielding a yearly income of 100l. Proud of his independence and eager for travel, he went abroad in 1800. He was in Frankfort when it was occupied by the French. After acquiring a knowledge of German, he set out on a tour through Germany and Bohemia, chiefly on foot, and in 1801 reached Weimar, where he was introduced to Goethe and Schiller. He