Those notes of Bryant have caused the greatest disorder in my brain-pan.

Well, I will not flatter when I say that we have had two or three long evening's _good reading_ out of your kind present.

I will say nothing of the tenderest parts in your own little volume, at the end of such a slatternly scribble as this, but indeed they cost us some tears. I scrawl away because of interruptions every moment. You guess how it is in a busy office--papers thrust into your hand when your hand is busiest--and every anti-cla.s.sical disavocation.

[_Conclusion cut away_.]

[Sir Charles Abraham Elton (1778-1853) seems to have sent Lamb a number of his books, princ.i.p.ally his _Specimens of the Cla.s.sical_ _Poets ...

from Homer to Tryphiodorus translated into English Verse_, Baldwin, 1814, in three volumes. Lamb refers first to the pa.s.sage from Hesiod's _Theogony_, and then to his _Works and Days_ (which Chapman translated)--"Dispensation of Providence to the Just and Unjust."

Apollonius Rhodius was the author of _The Argonautics_. Lamb then pa.s.ses on to Virgil. For the death of Mezentius see the _Aeneid_, Book X., at the end. The makers of broadsides had probably credited d.i.c.k Turpin with a dying speech.

"Those notes of Bryant." Lamb possibly refers to Jacob Bryant's _Essay on the Original Genius and Writings of Homer_, 1775, or his pamphlet on the Trojan War, 1795, 1799.

"Your own little volume." Probably _The Brothers and Other Poems_, by Elton, 1820.]

LETTER 279

CHARLES LAMB TO CHARLES COWDEN CLARKE

[Summer, 1821.]

My dear Sir--Your letter has lain in a drawer of my desk, upbraiding me every time I open the said drawer, but it is almost impossible to answer such a letter in such a place, and I am out of the habit of replying to epistles otherwhere than at office. You express yourself concerning H.

like a true friend, and have made me feel that I have somehow neglected him, but without knowing very well how to rectify it. I live so remote from him--by Hackney--that he is almost out of the pale of visitation at Hampstead. And I come but seldom to Cov't Gard'n this summer time--and when I do, am sure to pay for the late hours and pleasant Novello suppers which I incur. I also am an invalid. But I will hit upon some way, that you shall not have cause for your reproof in future. But do not think I take the hint unkindly. When I shall be brought low by any sickness or untoward circ.u.mstance, write just such a letter to some tardy friend of mine--or come up yourself with your friendly Henshaw face--and that will be better. I shall not forget in haste our casual day at Margate. May we have many such there or elsewhere! G.o.d bless you for your kindness to H., which I will remember. But do not show N. this, for the flouting infidel doth mock when Christians cry G.o.d bless us.

Yours and _his, too_, and all our little circle's most affect'e.

C. LAMB.

Mary's love included.

[Charles Cowden Clarke (1787-1877) was the son of a schoolmaster who had served as usher with George Dyer at Northampton. Afterwards he established a school at Enfield, where Keats was one of the scholars.

Charles Cowden Clarke, at this time a bookseller, remained one of Keats'

friends and was a friend also of Leigh Hunt's, on whose behalf he seems to have written to Lamb. Later he became a partner of Alfred Novello, the musical publisher, son of Vincent Novello. In 1828 he married Mary Victoria Novello.

"Friendly Henshaw face." I cannot explain this.

Leigh Hunt left England for Italy in November, 1821, to join Sh.e.l.ley and Byron.

Here should come a brief note to Allan Cunningham asking him to an evening party of _London Magazine_ contributors at 20 Russell St., given in the Boston Bibliophile edition.]

LETTER 280

MARY LAMB TO MRS. WILLIAM AYRTON

[No date. ?1821.]

Thursday Morning.

MY dear friend,

The kind interest you took in my perplexities of yesterday makes me feel that you will be well pleased to hear I got through my complicated business far better than I had ventured to hope I should do. In the first place let me thank you, my good friend, for your good advice; for, had I not gone to Martin first he would have sent a senseless letter to Mr. Rickman, and _now_ he is coming here to-day in order to frame one in conjunction with my brother.

What will be Mr. Rickman's final determination I know not, but he and Mrs. Rickman both gave me a most kind reception, and a most patient hearing, and then Mr. R. walked with me as far as Bishopsgate Street, conversing the whole way on the same unhappy subject. I will see you again the very first opportunity till when farewel with grateful thanks.

How senseless I was not to make you go back in that empty coach. I never have but one idea in my poor head at a time.

Yours affectionately

M. LAMB.

at Mr. Coston's

No. 14 Kingsland Row Dalston.

[The explanation of this letter is found in an entry in Crabb Robinson's _Diary_, the unpublished portion, which tells us that owing to certain irregularities Rickman, who was Clerk a.s.sistant at the table of the House of Commons, had been obliged to discharge Martin Burney, who was one of his clerks.

Here should come another sc.r.a.p from Lamb to Ayrton, dated August 14, stating that at to-morrow's rubber the windows will be closed on account of Her Majesty's death. Her Majesty was Queen Caroline, whom Lamb had championed. She died on August 7.]

LETTER 281

CHARLES LAMB TO THOMAS ALLSOP

Oct. 21, 1819.

My dear Sir, I have to thank you for a fine hare, and unless I am mistaken for _two_, the first I received a week since, the account given with it was that it came from Mr. Alfourd--I have no friend of that name, but two who come near it

Mr. Talfourd

Mr. Alsop

so my grat.i.tude must be divided between you, till I know the true sender. We are and shall be some time, I fear, at Dalston, a distance which does not improve hares by the circuitous route of Cov't Garden, though for the sweetness of _this last_ I will answer. We dress it to-day. I suppose you know my sister has been & is ill. I do not see much hopes, though there is a glimmer, of her speedy recovery. When we are all well, I hope to come among our town friends, and shall have great pleasure in welcoming you from Beresford Hall.

Yours, & old Mr. Walton's, & honest Mr. Cotton's Piscatorum Amicus, C.L.

India House 19 Oct. 21

LETTER 282

CHARLES LAMB TO WILLIAM AYRTON