[Mr. Watts was Alaric A. Watts.

“Thro’ the Table Book.”  Lamb contributed to Hone’s Table Book a prose paraphrase of Hood’s Plea, of the Midsummer Fairies, just published, which had been dedicated to him, under the title “The Defeat of Time.”  In a previous number Moxon had addressed to Hood a eulogistic sonnet on the same subject.  The attacks on Hood I have not sought.

“We shall put up a bedroom.”  This project was very imperfectly carried out.  Indeed Lamb practically lost London from this date, his subsequent visits there being as a rule not fortunate.

“Mr. Jerdan”—­William Jerdan, editor of the Literary Gazette.

“Emmaics.”  These verses are no longer forthcoming.

Here should come a letter to Allsop dated September 25, 1827, saying that Mary Lamb has her nurse Miss James and the house is melancholy.  Given in the Boston Bibliophile edition.]

LETTER 431

CHARLES LAMB TO HENRY COLBURN

[Dated at end:  September 25, 1827.]

Dear Sir—­I beg leave in the warmest manner to recommend to your notice Mr. Moxon, the Bearer of this, if by any chance yourself should want a steady hand in your business, or know of any Publisher that may want such a one.  He is at present in the house of Messrs. Longman and Co., where he has been established for more than six years, and has the conduct of one of the four departments of the Country line.  A difference respecting Salary, which he expected to be a little raised on his last promotion, makes him wish to try to better himself.  I believe him to be a young man of the highest integrity, and a thorough man of business; and should not have taken the liberty of recommending him, if I had not thought him capable of being highly useful.

I am,
Sir,
with great respect,
your hble Serv’t
CHARLES LAMB.

Enfield, Chace Side, 25th Sep. 1827.

[Moxon did not go to Colburn, but to Hurst & Co. in St. Paul’s Churchyard.]

LETTER 432

CHARLES LAMB TO EDWARD MOXON

[No date. ?Sept. 26, 1827.]

Pray, send me the Table Book.

Dear M. Our pleasant meeting[s] for some time are suspended.  My sister was taken very ill in a few hours after you left us (I had suspected it),—­and I must wait eight or nine weeks in slow hope of her recovery.  It is her old complaint.  You will say as much to the Hoods, and to Mrs. Lovekin, and Mrs. Hazlitt, with my kind love.

We are in the House, that is all.  I hope one day we shall both enjoy it, and see our friends again.  But till then I must be a solitary nurse.

I am trying Becky’s sister to be with her, so don’t say anything to Miss James.

Yours truly

CH.  LAMB.

Monday.  I will send your books soon.