a steam-philosopher, not knowing a turnip from a potato
ground, innocently made answer that I believed it
depended very much upon boiled legs of mutton, my unlucky
reply set Miss Isola a laughing to a degree that disturbed
her tranquility for the only moment in our journey.
I am afraid my credit sank very low with my other
fellow-traveller, who had thought he had met with a
well-informed passenger, which is an accident
so desirable in a Stage Coach. We were rather
less communicative, but still friendly, the rest of
the way. How I employed myself between Epping
and Enfield the poor verses in the front of my paper
may inform you which you may please to Christen an
Acrostic in a Cross Road, and which I wish were worthier
of the Lady they refer to. But I trust you will
plead my pardon to her on a subject so delicate as
a Lady’s good
name. Your candour
must acknowledge that they are written
strait.
And now dear Madam, I have left myself hardly space
to express my sense of the friendly reception I found
at Fornham. Mr. Williams will tell you that we
had the pleasure of a slight meeting with him on the
road, where I could almost have told him, but that
it seemed ungracious, that such had been your hospitality,
that I scarcely missed the good Master of the Family
at Fornham, though heartily I should [have] rejoiced
to have made a little longer acquaintance with him.
I will say nothing of our deeper obligations to both
of you, because I think we agreed at Fornham, that
gratitude may be over-exacted on the part of the obliging,
and over-expressed on the part of the obliged, person.
My Sister and Miss Isola join in respects to Mr. Williams
and yourself, and I beg to be remembered kindly to
the Miss Hammonds and the two gentlemen whom I had
the good fortune to meet at your house. I have
not forgotten the Election in which you are interesting
yourself, and the little that I can, I will do immediately.
Miss Isola will have the pleasure of writing to you
next week, and we shall hope, at your leisure, to
hear of your own health,
etc. I am, Dear
Madam, with great respect,
your obliged
CHARLES LAMB.
[Added in Miss Isola’s hand:] I must
just add a line to beg you will let us hear from you,
my dear Mrs. Williams. I have just received the
forwarded letter. Fornham we have talked about
constantly, and I felt quite strange at this home
the first day. I will attend to all you said,
my dear Madam.
[I do not know which of Lamb’s acrostics was
the one in question. Possibly this, on Mrs. Williams’
youngest daughter, Louisa Clare Williams:—
Least
Daughter, but not least beloved, of Grace!
O
frown not on a stranger, who from place
Unknown
and distant these few lines hath penn’d.
I
but report what thy Instructress Friend
So
oft hath told us of thy gentle heart.
A
pupil most affectionate thou art,