Mary, who is handselling her new aerial perspectives upon a pair of old worsted stockings trod out in Cheshunt lanes, sends love. I, great good liking. Bid us a personal farewell before you see the Vatican.
Chas. Lamb, Enfield.
[Crabb Robinson, just starting for Rome, had sent Lamb a copy of Pamela under the impression that he had borrowed one.
“Two Mr. B.’s.” In Richardson’s novel Pamela marries the young Squire B. and reforms him.]
LETTER 479
CHARLES LAMB TO SAMUEL ROGERS
Chase, Enfield: 22nd Mar., 1829.
My dear Sir,—I have but lately learned, by letter from Mr. Moxon, the death of your brother. For the little I had seen of him, I greatly respected him. I do not even know how recent your loss may have been, and hope that I do not unseasonably present you with a few lines suggested to me this morning by the thought of him. I beg to be most kindly remembered to your remaining brother, and to Miss Rogers.
Your’s truly, CHARLES LAMB.
Rogers,
of all the men that I have known
But
slightly, who have died, your brother’s loss
Touched
me most sensibly. There came across
My
mind an image of the cordial tone
Of
your fraternal meetings, where a guest
I
more than once have sate; and grieve to think,
That
of that threefold cord one precious link
By
Death’s rude hand is sever’d from the rest.
Of
our old gentry he appear’d a stem;
A
magistrate who, while the evil-doer
He
kept in terror, could respect the poor,
And
not for every trifle harass them—
As
some, divine and laic, too oft do.
This
man’s a private loss and public too.
[Daniel Rogers, the banker’s elder brother, had just died.]
LETTER 480
CHARLES LAMB TO BERNARD BARTON
[P.M. March 25, 1829.]