Till we meet, farewell. Loves to Dash. C.L.
[Moxon seems to have asked Lamb for a contribution for one of Hurst's annuals, probably the _Keepsake_.
"Dash."--Moxon seems to have been the present master of the dog.
Here should come a letter from Lamb to Edward Irving, introducing Hone, who in later life became devout and preached at the Weigh House Chapel in Eastcheap.]
DEAR B.B.--You must excuse my silence. I have been in very poor health and spirits, and cannot write letters. I only write to assure you, as you wish'd, of my existence. All that which Mitford tells you of H.'s book is rhodomontade, only H. has written unguardedly about me, and nothing makes a man more foolish than his own foolish panegyric. But I am pretty well cased to flattery, or its contrary. Neither affect[s] me a turnip's worth. Do you see the Author of May you Like it? Do you write to him? Will you give my present plea to him of ill health for not acknowledge a pretty Book with a pretty frontispiece he sent me. He is most esteem'd by me. As for subscribing to Books, in plain truth I am a man of reduced income, and don't allow myself 12 shillings a-year to buy OLD BOOKS with, which must be my Excuse. I am truly sorry for Murray's demur, but I wash my hands of all booksellers, and hope to know them no more. I am sick and poorly and must leave off, with our joint kind remembrances to your daughter and friend A.K. C.L.
["H.'s book." In Hunt's _Lord Byron and Some of His Contemporaries_ Lamb was praised very warmly.
"The Author of May you Like it"--the Rev. C.B. Tayler. The book with a pretty frontispiece was _A Fireside Book_, 1828, with a frontispiece by George Cruikshank.
"Murray's demur"-an unfavourable reply, possibly to a suggestion of Barton's concerning a new volume.]
Dear A.--I am better. Mary quite well. We expected to see you before. I can't write long letters. So a friendly love to you all.
Dear M.,--My friend Patmore, author of the "Months," a very pretty publication, [and] of sundry Essays in the "London," "New Monthly," &c., wants to dispose of a volume or two of "Tales." Perhaps they might Chance to suit Hurst; but be that as it may, he will call upon you, _under favor of my recommendation_; and as he is returning to France, where he lives, if you can do anything for him in the Treaty line, to save him dancing over the Channel every week, I am sure you will. I said I'd never trouble you again; but how vain are the resolves of mortal man! P. is a very hearty friendly fellow, and was poor John Scott's second, as I will be yours when you want one. May you never be mine!
