f she
belonged to me I would lock her up and feed her on bread and water till
she left off writing poetry."

* * * * *

Page 105. _The First Leaf of Spring_.

Printed in _The Athenaeum_, January 10, 1846, contributed probably by
Thomas Westwood. In a note prefacing the three poems which he was
sending, this correspondent stated that "The First Leaf of Spring" had
been printed before, but very obscurely. I have not discovered where.

Page 105. _To Mrs. F---- on Her Return from Gibraltar_.

This would probably be Mrs. Jane Field, _nee_ Carncroft, the wife of
Lamb's friend, Barron Field, who inspired the _Elia_ essay on "Distant
Correspondents." Field held the Chief Justiceship of Gibraltar for some
years.

* * * * *

Page 106. _To M. L---- F----_.

M.L. Field, the second daughter of Henry Field, and Barron Field's
sister. This lady, who lived to a great age, gave Canon Ainger the copy
of the prologue to "Richard II." written by Lamb for an amateur
performance at her home.

Page 106. _To Esther Field_.

Another of Barron Field's sisters.

The text of these three poems has been corrected by the Thomas
Hutchinson's Oxford edition.

* * * * *

Page 107. _To Mrs. Williams_.

See note above. In writing to Mrs. Williams on April 2, 1830, to tell of
Emma Isola's safe journey after her illness, Lamb says:--"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."

Mrs. Williams replied with the following acrostic upon Lamb's name,
which Mr. Cecil Turner, a descendant, has sent me and which I give
according to his copy:--

TO CHARLES LAMB

_Answer to Acrostics on the Names of Two Friends._

Charmed with the lines thy hand has sent,
Honour I feel thy compliment,
Amongst thy products that have won the ear
Ranged in thy verse two friends most dear.
Lay not thy winning pen away,
Each line thou writest we bid thee stay.
Still ask to charm us with another lay.

Long-linked, long-lived by public fame,
A friend to misery whate'er its claim,
Marvel I must if e'er we find
Bestowed by Heaven a kindlier mind.

The two friends were Cecilia Catherine Lawton (see page 64) and Edward
Hogg (see page 109). In reply Lamb says