keep all trim and compact, a dark apron, the string
of which passes over the little fulled skirt of
the jacket behind, and makes it stick out smartly
and tastily, while it clips the waist in.
The head-gear consists of a sort of mob cap, nothing
of which but the edge round the face can be seen,
on account of the kerchief (of flowered cotton) which
is passed over it, hood fashion, and half tied
under the chin. This head-kerchief is in
place of the bonnet—a thing not to be seen
among the whole five hundred females who make up
this pleasant show. Indeed, varying the colours
of the different articles, this description applies
to every dress of the whole assembly; except that
in some the fineness of the day has dispensed with
the kerchief, and left the snow-white cap exposed;
and in others, the whole figure (except the head)
is coyishly covered and concealed by a large hooded
cloak of black cloth, daintily lined with silk, and
confined close up to the throat by an embossed
silver clasp, but hanging loosely down to the
heels, in thick, full folds. The petticoat
is very short; the trim ancles are cased in close-fit
hose of dark, sober, slate colour; and the shoes,
though thick and serviceable like all the rest
of the costume, fit the foot as neatly as those
which are not made to walk in.
Patmore tells us that his first meeting with the Lambs
was immediately after they had first seen his book;
and they left the house intent upon reading it.
“My sister’s verses.” I think
these would probably be the lines on Emma learning
Latin which I have quoted above.
Here should come a very pleasant letter from Lamb
to Dodwell, of the India House, dated October 7, 1827.
Lamb thanks Dodwell, to whom there is an earlier letter
extant, for a pig. He first describes his new
house at Enfield, and then breaks off about the cooking
of the pig, bidding Becky do it “nice and crips.”
The rest is chaff concerning the India House and Dodwell’s
fellow-clerks.]
LETTER 436
CHARLES LAMB TO WILLIAM HONE
[No date. ? Oct., 1827.]
Dear Hone,—having occasion to write to
Clarke I put in a bit to you. I see no Extracts
in this N’o. You should have three sets
in hand, one long one in particular from Atreus and
Thyestes, terribly fine. Don’t spare ’em;
with fragments, divided as you please, they’ll
hold out to Xmas. What I have to say is enjoined
me most seriously to say to you by Moxon. Their
country customers grieve at getting the Table Book
so late. It is indispensable it should appear
on Friday. Do it but once, & you’ll
never know the difference.
FABLE