Append some observations about the awkwardness of country styles about Edmonton, and the difficulty of elderly Ladies getting over ’em.——­

That is to say, if you think the sketch good enough.

I take on myself the warranty.

Can you slip down here some day and go a Green-dragoning?  C.L.

Enfield (Mrs. Leishman’s, Chase).

If you do, send Hood the number, No. 2 Robert St., Adelphi, and keep the sketch for me.

["This” was the drawing by Hood.  I take it from the Table-Book, where it represents Mrs. Gilpin resting on a stile:—­

[Illustration]

Lamb subsequently appended the observations himself.  The text of his little article, changing Mary Lamb into Mrs. Gilpin, was in the late Mr. Locker-Lampson’s collection.  The postmark is July 17. 1827.]

LETTER 418

CHARLES LAMB TO EDWARD MOXON

Enfield.  P.M.  July 17, 182[7].

Dear M. Thanks for your attentions of every kind.  Emma will not fail Mrs. Hood’s kind invitation, but her Aunt is so queer a one, that we cannot let her go with a single gentleman singly to Vauxhall; she would withdraw her from us altogether in a fright; but if any of the Hood’s family accompany you, then there can be small objection.

I have been writing letters till too dark to see the marks.  I can just say we shall be happy to see you any Sunday after the next:  say, the Sunday after, and perhaps the Hoods will come too and have a merry other day, before they go hence.  But next Sunday we expect as many as we can well entertain.

With ours and Emma’s
acknowlgm’s
yours
C.L.

[The earliest of a long series of letters to Edward Moxon, preserved at Rowfant by the late Mr. Locker-Lampson, but now in America.  Emma Isola’s aunt was Miss Humphreys.]

LETTER 419

CHARLES LAMB TO P.G.  PATMORE

[Dated at end:  July 19, 1827.]

Dear P.—­I am so poorly!  I have been to a funeral, where I made a pun, to the consternation of the rest of the mourners.  And we had wine.  I can’t describe to you the howl which the widow set up at proper intervals.  Dash could, for it was not unlike what he makes.

The letter I sent you was one directed to the care of E. White, India House, for Mrs. Hazlitt. Which Mrs. Hazlitt I don’t yet know, but A. has taken it to France on speculation.  Really it is embarrassing.  There is Mrs. present H., Mrs. late H., and Mrs. John H., and to which of the three Mrs. Wiggins’s it appertains, I don’t know.  I wanted to open it, but it’s transportation.

I am sorry you are plagued about your book.  I would strongly recommend you to take for one story Massinger’s “Old Law.”  It is exquisite.  I can think of no other.

Dash is frightful this morning.  He whines and stands up on his hind legs.  He misses Beckey, who is gone to town.  I took him to Barnet the other day, and he couldn’t eat his victuals after it.  Pray God his intellectuals be not slipping.