ical started by Leigh Hunt in 1828.

"Hazlitt's 'Napoleon.'" Of this work the first two volumes appeared in
1828, and the next two in 1830.

"Their friend Rice's advancement." I cannot say to what this would
refer. Rice was Edward Rice.]

LETTER 448

CHARLES LAMB TO EDWARD MOXON

[P.M. Feb. 18, 1828.]

Dear M. I had rather thought to have seen you yesterday,
or I should have written to thank you for your attentions
in the Book way &c. Hone's address is, _22_ Belvidere Place,
Southwark. 'Tis near the Obelisk. I can only say we shall
be most glad to see you, when weather suits, and that it will
be a joyful surprisal to see the Hoods. I should write to
them, but am poorly and nervous. Emma is very proud of
her Valentine. Mary does not immediately want Books,
having a damn'd consignment of Novels in MS. from Malta:
which I wish the Mediterranean had in its guts. Believe me
yours truly C.L.

Monday.

[Emma's valentine probably came from Moxon, who, I feel sure, in spite
of Lamb's utterance in a previous letter, had not yet told his love, if
it had really budded.

"Novels in MS."--Lady Stoddart's, we may suppose (see letter above).]

LETTER 449

CHARLES LAMB TO CHARLES COWDEN CLARKE

Enfield, 25 Feb. [1828].

My dear Clarke,--You have been accumulating on me such a heap of
pleasant obligations that I feel uneasy in writing as to a Benefactor.
Your smaller contributions, the little weekly rills, are refreshments in
the Desart, but your large books were feasts. I hope Mrs. Hazlitt, to
whom I encharged it, has taken Hunt's Lord B. to the Novellos. His
picture of Literary Lordship is as pleasant as a disagreeable subject
can be made, his own poor man's Education at dear Christ's is as good
and hearty as the subject. Hazlitt's speculative episodes are capital; I
skip the Battles. But how did I deserve to have the Book? The
_Companion_ has too much of Madam Pasta. Theatricals have ceased to be
popular attractions. His walk home after the Play is as good as the best
of the old Indicators. The watchmen are emboxed in a niche of fame, save
the skaiting one that must be still fugitive. I wish I could send a
scrap for good will. But I have been most seriously unwell and nervous a
long long time. I have scarce mustered courage to begin this short note,
but conscience duns me.

I had a pleasant letter from your sister, greatly over-acknowledging my
poor sonnet. I th