that on the sudden suppression of the honorarium, representations on Coleridge’s behalf were made to Lord Brougham, with the result that the Treasury (Lord Grey) offered a private grant of L200, which Coleridge “had felt it his duty most respectfully to decline.”  Stuart, however, wrote to King William’s son, the Earl of Munster, pointing out the hardship entailed on Coleridge, “who is old and infirm, and without other means of subsistence.”  He begs the Earl to lay the matter before his royal father.  To this a reply came, excusing the King on account of his “very reduced income,” but promising that the matter shall be laid before His Majesty.  To these letters, which are printed in Letters from the Lake Poets (pages 319-322), the following note is appended:  “The annuity ... was not renewed, but a sum of L300 was ultimately handed over to Coleridge by the Treasury.”  Even apart from this bounty, Coleridge was not a sufferer by the withdrawal of the King’s pension, for Frere made it up to him annually.

It is interesting to know that Lamb played so useful and characteristic a part in this matter.

“The Sugdens.”  I do not identify these friends.

“2d vol.  Elias.”  This would refer, I think, to the American volume, published without authority, in 1828, under the title Elia; or, Second Series, which Lamb told N.P.  Willis he liked.  It contained three pieces not by Lamb; the rest made up from the Works and the London Magazine (see Vol.  II., notes).]

LETTER 534

CHARLES LAMB TO EDWARD MOXON

Pray forward the enclosed, or put it in the post.

[No date.  Early August, 1831.]

Dear M.—­The R.A. here memorised was George Dawe, whom I knew well and heard many anecdotes of, from DANIELS and WESTALL, at H. Rogers’s—­to each of them it will be well to send a Mag. in my name.  It will fly like wild fire among the R. Academicians and artists.  Could you get hold of Proctor—­his chambers are in Lincoln’s Inn at Montagu’s—­or of Janus Weathercock?—­both of their prose is capital.  Don’t encourage poetry.  The Peter’s Net does not intend funny things only.  All is fish.  And leave out the sickening Elia at the end.  Then it may comprise letters and characters addrest to Peter—­but a signature forces it to be all characteristic of the one man Elia, or the one man Peter, which cramped me formerly.  I have agreed not for my sister to know the subjects I chuse till the Mag. comes out; so beware of speaking of ’em, or writing about ’em, save generally.  Be particular about this warning.  Can’t you drop in some afternoon, and take a bed?

The Athenaeum has been hoaxed with some exquisite poetry that was 2 or 3 months ago in Hone’s Book.  I like your 1st No. capitally.  But is it not small?  Come and see us, week day if possible.  C.L.