The Pleasures of Hope, by Thomas Campbell; The Beggar's Petition—"Pity the sorrows of a poor old man"—by Thomas Moss (1740-1808), a ditty in all the recitation books. Lamb alluded to it in the London Magazine version of his Elia essay, "A Complaint of the Decay of Beggars."
Here should come a brief note from Lamb to Leigh Hunt, dated May 13, 1816, accompanying Falstaff's Letters, etc., and a gift of "John Woodvil." This is Lamb's first letter to James Henry Leigh Hunt (1784-1859) that has been preserved. He had known Hunt (an old Christ's Hospitaller, but later than Lamb's day) for some years. To his Reflector he contributed a number of essays and humorous letters in 1810-1811; and he had written also for The Examiner in 1812 and during Hunt's imprisonment in 1813-1815. The Lambs visited him regularly at the Surrey Jail. One of Lamb's most charming poems is inscribed "To T. L. H."—Thornton Leigh Hunt, whom he called his "favourite child.">[
LETTER 231
CHARLES LAMB TO MATILDA BETHAM
[Dated at end: June 1, 1816.]
Dear Miss Betham,—I have sent your very pretty lines to Southey in a frank as you requested. Poor S. what a grievous loss he must have had! Mary and I rejoice in the prospect of seeing you soon in town. Let us be among the very first persons you come to see. Believe me that you can have no friends who respect and love you more than ourselves. Pray present our kind remembrances to Barbara, and to all to whom you may think they will be acceptable.
Yours very sincerely,
C. LAMB.
Have you seen Christabel since its publication?
E. I. H. June 1 1816.
[Southey's eldest son, Herbert, had died in April of this year. Here should come a letter from Lamb to H. Dodwell, of the India House, dated August, 1816, not available for this edition. Lamb writes from Calne, in Wiltshire, where he and his sister were making holiday, staying with the Morgans. He states that he has lost all sense of time, and recollected that he must return to work some day only through the accident of playing Commerce instead of whist.]
LETTER 232
CHARLES LAMB TO WILLIAM WORDSWORTH
[P.M. September 23, 1816.]