The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb Volume VI Part 35

[P.M. Sept. 9, 1825.]

My dear Allsop--We are exceedingly grieved for your loss. When your note came, my sister went to Pall Mall, to find you, and saw Mrs. L. and was a little comforted to find Mrs. A. had returned to Enfield before the distresful event. I am very feeble, can scarce move a pen; got home from Enfield on the Friday, and on Monday follow'g was laid up with a most violent nervous fever second this summer, have had Leeches to my Temples, have not had, nor can not get, a night's sleep. So you will excuse more from Yours truly, C. LAMB.

Islington, 9 Sept.

Our most kind rememb'ces to poor Mrs. Allsop. A line to say how you both are will be most acceptable.

[Allsop's loss was, I imagine, the death of one of his children.]

LETTER 382

CHARLES LAMB TO THOMAS ALLSOP

[P.M. Sept. 24, 1825.]

My dear Allsop--Come not near this unfortunate roof yet a while. My disease is clearly but slowly going. Field is an excellent attendant.

But Mary's anxieties have overturned her. She has her old Miss James with her, without whom I should not feel a support in the world. We keep in separate apartments, and must weather it. Let me know all of your healths. Kindest love to Mrs. Allsop. C. LAMB.

Sat.u.r.day.

Can you call at Mrs. Burney 26 James Street, and _tell her_, & that I can see no one here in this state. If Martin return-- if well enough, I will meet him some where, _don't let him come_.

[Field was Henry Field, Barren Field's brother.

Here should come a note from Lamb to Hone, dated September 30, 1825, in which Lamb describes the unhappy state of the house at Colebrooke Row, with himself and his sister both ill.

Here also should come a similar note to William Ayrton. "All this summer almost I have been ill. I have been laid up (the second nervous attack) now six weeks."

On October 18 Lamb sends Hone the first "bit of writing" he has done "these many weeks."]

LETTER 383

CHARLES LAMB TO WILLIAM HONE

[P.M. Oct. 24, 1825.]

I send a sc.r.a.p. Is it worth postage? My friends are fairly surprised that you should set me down so unequivocally for an a.s.s, as you have done, Page 1358.

HERE HE IS what follows?

THE a.s.s

Call you this friends.h.i.+p?

Mercy! What a dose you have sent me of Burney!--a perfect _opening_*

draught.

*A Pun here is intended.

[This is written on the back of the MS. "In _re_ Squirrels" for Hone's _Every-Day Book_ (see Vol. I. of this edition). Lamb's previous contribution had been "The a.s.s" which Hone had introduced with a few words.]

LETTER 384

CHARLES LAMB TO THOMAS ALLSOP

[Dec. 5, 1825.]

Dear A.--You will be glad to hear that _we_ are at home to visitors; not too many or noisy. Some fine day shortly Mary will surprise Mrs. Allsop.

The weather is not seasonable for formal engagements.

Yours _most ever_,

C. LAMB.

Satr'd.

[Here should come a note to Manning at Totteridge, signed Charles and Mary Lamb, and dated December 10, 1825. It indicates that both are well again, and hoping to see Manning at Colebrooke.]

LETTER 385

CHARLES LAMB TO CHARLES OLLIER

[No date. ? Dec., 1825.]

Dear O.--I leave it _entirely to Mr. Colburn_; but if not too late, I think the Proverbs had better have L. signd to them and reserve _Elia_ for Essays _more Eliacal_. May I trouble you to send my Magazine, not to Norris, but H.C. Robinson Esq. King's bench walks, instead.

Yours truly

C. LAMB.

My friend Hood, a prime genius and hearty fellow, brings this.

[Lamb's "Popular Fallacies" began in the _New Monthly Magazine_ in January, 1826. Henry Colburn was the publisher of that magazine, which had now obtained Lamb's regular services. The nominal editor was Campbell, the poet, who was a.s.sisted by Cyrus Redding. Ollier seems to have been a sub-editor.]