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