[May 1st, 1828.]

Dear A.—­I am better.  Mary quite well.  We expected to see you before.  I can’t write long letters.  So a friendly love to you all.

Yours ever,

C.L.

Enfield.

This sunshine is healing.

LETTER 454

CHARLES LAMB TO EDWARD MOXON

[P.M.  May 3rd, 1828.]

Dear M.,—­My friend Patmore, author of the “Months,” a very pretty publication, [and] of sundry Essays in the “London,” “New Monthly,” &c., wants to dispose of a volume or two of “Tales.”  Perhaps they might Chance to suit Hurst; but be that as it may, he will call upon you, under favor of my recommendation; and as he is returning to France, where he lives, if you can do anything for him in the Treaty line, to save him dancing over the Channel every week, I am sure you will.  I said I’d never trouble you again; but how vain are the resolves of mortal man!  P. is a very hearty friendly fellow, and was poor John Scott’s second, as I will be yours when you want one.  May you never be mine!

Yours truly, C.L.

Enfield.

[Patmore was the author of The Mirror of the Months, 1826.]

LETTER 455

CHARLES LAMB TO WALTER WILSON

[Dated at end:  17 May (1828).]

Dear Walter, The sight of your old name again was like a resurrection.  It had passed away into the dimness of a dead friend.  We shall be most joyful to see you here next week,—­if I understand you right—­for your note dated the 10th arrived only yesterday, Friday the 16th.  Suppose I name Thursday next.  If that don’t suit, write to say so.  A morning coach comes from the Bell or Bell & Crown by Leather Lane Holborn, and sets you down at our house on the Chase Side, next door to Mr. Westwood’s, whom all the coachmen know.

I have four more notes to write, so dispatch this with again assuring you how happy we shall be to see you, & to discuss Defoe & old matters.

Yours truly

C. LAMB.

Enf’d.  Satur’dy. 17th May.

[The last letter to Wilson was on Feb. 24, 1823.  Lamb wrote to Hone a few days later:  “Valter Vilson dines with us to-morrow.  Vell!  How I should like to see Hone!”]

LETTER 456

CHARLES LAMB TO THOMAS NOON TALFOURD

[P.M.  May 20, 1828.]

My dear Talfourd, we propose being with you on Wednesday not unearly, Mary to take a bed with you, and I with Crabbe, if, as I understand, he be of the party.

Yours ever,

CH.  LAMB.

[Lamb’s future biographer was then living at 26 Henrietta Street, Brunswick Square.  He had married in 1822.  Crabb Robinson’s Diary for May 21 tells us that Talfourd’s party consisted of the Lambs, Wordsworth, Miss Anne Rutt, three barristers and himself.  Lamb was in excellent spirits.  He slept at Robinson’s that night.]