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,