ex-Lampoonist, or Lamb-punnist--from Enfield, Oct. 24, or "last day
but one for receiving articles that can be inserted."

[Moxon, finding _The Englishman's Magazine_ unsuccessful, gave it up
suddenly after the October number, the third under his direction. His
letter to Lamb on the subject is not now forthcoming. The ludicrous
description of a landscape by an R.A. is, I imagine, that of the garden
of the Hesperides in the _Elia_ essay on the "Barrenness of the
Imaginative Faculty in the Production of Modern Art" (see Vol. II.).
Probably Turner's "Garden of the Hesperides" in the National Gallery.

By "Devil's Money" Lamb means money due for _Satan in
Search of a Wife_. I do not identify * * * * * *.

"The Rev. Mr. ----." I have not identified this gentleman.

"G.D.... penny tract." I have not found Dyer's tract.

"Mr. Aitken." John Aitken, editor of _Constable's Miscellany_, whom
Moxon would have known at Hurst & Co.'s.]

LETTER 539

CHARLES LAMB TO EDWARD MOXON

[P.M. Dec. 15, 1831.]

Dear M. +S. I know, has an aversion, amounting almost to horror, of H.
He _would not_ lend his name. The other I might wring a guinea from, but
he is _very properly_ shy of his guineas. It would be improper in me to
apply to him, and impertinent to the other. I hope this will satisfy
you, but don't give my reason to H.'s friend, simply, say I decline it.

I am very much obliged to you for thinking of Gary. Put me down seven
shillings (wasn't it?) in your books, and I set you down for more in my
good ones. One Copy will go down to immortality _now_, the more lasting
as the less its leaves are disturbed. This Letter will cost you 3d.--but
I did not like to be silent on the above +.

Nothing with my name will sell, a blast is upon it. Do not think of such
a thing, unless ever you become rich enough to speculate.

Being praised, and being bought, are different things to a Book. Fancy
books sell from fashion, not from the number of their real likers. Do
not come at so long intervals. Here we are sure to be.

[S. and H. I do not identify--perhaps Southey and Hunt. Hunt's need of
guineas was chronic. The reference to Gary is not very clear. Lamb seems
to suggest that he is giving Gary a copy of a book that Gary will not
read, but will preserve.

"Nothing with my name." Moxon may perhaps have just suggested publishing
a second series of _Elia_.]

LETTER 540

CHARLES LAMB TO JOSEPH HUME'S DAUGHTERS

[No date. 1832