"The parcel coming thro' _you_, I open'd this note, but find no treason in it.

With thanks

C. LAMB."

I give here three other notes to Dilke, belonging probably to the early days of 1834. The first refers to the proof of one of Lamb's contributions to The Athenaeum.]

LETTER 594

CHARLES LAMB TO CHARLES WENTWORTH DILKE

[No date.]

May I now claim of you the benefit of the loan of some books. Do not fear sending too many. But do not if it be irksome to yourself,--such as shall make you say, 'd.a.m.n it, here's Lamb's box come again.' Dog's leaves ensured! Any light stuff: no natural, history or useful learning, such as Pyramids, Catacombs, Giraffes, Adventures in Southern Africa, &c. &c.

With our joint compliments, yours,

C. LAMB.

Church Street, Edmonton.

Novels for the last two years, or further back-nonsense of any period.

LETTER 595

CHARLES LAMB TO CHARLES WENTWORTH DILKE

[No date. Spring, 1834.]

Dear Sir, I return 44 volumes by Tate. If they are not all your own, and some of mine have slipt in, I do not think you will lose much. Shall I go on with the Table talk? I will, if you like it, when the Culinary article has appear'd.

_Robins_, the Carrier, from the _Swan_, Snow Hill, will bring any more contributions, thankfully to be receiv'd--I pay backwards and forwards.

C. LAMB.

["Table Talk by the late Elia" appeared in _The Athenaeum_ on January 4, May 31, June 7 and July 19, 1834. The Culinary article is the paragraph that now closes the "Table Talk" (see Vol. I.).]

LETTER 596

CHARLES LAMB TO THE PRINTER OF THE _ATHENAEUM_

[No date.]

I have read the enclosed five and forty times over. I have submitted it to my Edmonton friends; at last (O Argus' penetration), I have discovered a dash that might be dispensed with. Pray don't trouble yourself with such useless courtesies. I can well trust your editor, when I don't use queer phrases which prove themselves wrong by creating a distrust in the sober compositor.

LETTER 597

CHARLES LAMB TO MARY BETHAM

January 24, 1834,

Church Street, Edmonton.

Dear Mary Betham--I received the Bill, and when it is payable, some ten or twelve days hence, will punctually do with the overplus as you direct: I thought you would like to know it came to hand, so I have not waited for the uncertainty of when your nephew sets out. I suppose my receipt will serve, for poor Mary is not in a capacity to sign it. After being well from the end of July to the end of December, she was taken ill almost on the first day of the New Year, and is as bad as poor creature can be. I expect her fever to last 14 or 15 weeks--if she gets well at all, which every successive illness puts me in fear of. She has less and less strength to throw it off, and they leave a dreadful depression after them. She was quite comfortable a few weeks since, when Matilda came down here to see us.

You shall excuse a short letter, for my hand is unsteady. Indeed, the situation I am in with her shakes me sadly. She was quite able to appreciate the kind legacy while she was well. Imagine her kindest love to you, which is but buried awhile, and believe all the good wishes for your restoration to health from

C. LAMB.

[This letter refers to the legacy mentioned above. It had now been paid.]

LETTER 598

CHARLES LAMB TO EDWARD MOXON

[P.M. Jan. 28, 1834.]

I met with a man at my half way house, who told me many anecdotes of Kean's younger life. He knew him thoroughly. His name is Wyatt, living near the Bell, Edmonton. Also he referred me to West, a publican, opposite St. Georges Church, Southwark, who knew him _more_ intimately.

Is it worth Forster's while to enquire after them?

C.L.

[Edmund Kean had died in the previous May. Forster, who was at this time theatrical critic of _The Examiner_, was probably at work upon a biographical article.

Here should come a note from Lamb to Matilda Betham, dated January 29, 1834. "My poor Mary is terribly ill again."

Here also, dated February 7, should come a letter to William Hone, in which Lamb, after mentioning his sister's illness, urges upon Hone the advisability of applying to the Literary Fund for some relief, and offers to support him in his appeal.]

LETTER 599

CHARLES LAMB TO Miss FRYER

Feb. 14, 1834.