till his eyes dropped brine,
As he gave them his hand so yellow,
And pledged them in Death's black wine.
_Hurrah!--Hurrah!_
_Hurrah! for the coal-black Wine!_

By the "Epistle to What's his Name" Lamb refers to some lines to himself
which had been printed first in the _London Magazine_ in 1825, entitled
"The Epistle to Charles Lamb." See in the Appendix.

"Madame Pasty." Procter had some lines on Madame Pasta.

"My Specimens." Lamb's _Dramatic Specimens_, which very likely suggested
to Procter the idea of "Dramatic Fragments."

Under the date November 30, 1832, an unsigned letter endorsed "From
Charles Lamb to Professor Wilson" is printed in Mrs. Gordon's
_"Christopher North:" A Memoir of John Wilson_. Although in its first
paragraph it might be Lamb's, there is evidence to the contrary in the
remainder, and I have no doubt that the endorsement was a mistake. It is
therefore not printed here.]

LETTER 552

CHARLES LAMB TO EDWARD MOXON

[Dated by Forster at end: Dec., 1832.]

This is my notion. Wait till you are able to throw away a round sum (say
L1500) upon a speculation, and then --don't do it. For all your loving
encouragem'ts--till this final damp came in the shape of your letter,
thanks--for Books also--greet the Fosters and Proctors--and come singly
or conjunctively as soon as you can. Johnson and Fare's sheets have been
wash'd--unless you prefer Danby's _last_ bed--at the Horseshoe.

[I assume Lamb's advice to refer to Moxon's intention of founding a
paper called _The Reflector_, which Forster was to edit. All trace of
this periodical has vanished, but it existed in December, 1832, for
three numbers, and was then withdrawn. Lamb contributed to it.

Johnson and Fare had just murdered--on December l9--a Mr. Danby, at
Enfield. They had met him in the Crown and Horseshoes (see note to next
Letter).

Mr. W.C. Hazlitt prints a note to Moxon in his Bohn edition in which
Lamb advises the withdrawal of _The Reflector_ at once. This would be
December, 1832.]

LETTER 553

CHARLES LAMB TO JOHN FORSTER

To Messrs. Bradbury & Evans, 14 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street. For the
Editor of the Reflector from C. Lamb.

[P.M. Dec. 23, 1832.]

I am very sorry the poor Reflector is abortive. Twas a child of good
promise for its _weeks_. But if the chances are so much against it,
withdraw immediately. It is idle up hill waste of money to spend