ds some little books, which were, I take it, copies of
Moxon's private reissue of _Poetry for Children_.

Mr. W.C. Hazlitt records that a letter from Lamb to Miss Norris was in
existence in which the writer gave "minute and humorous instructions for
his own funeral, even specifying the number of nails which he desired to
be inserted in his coffin."]

LETTER 586

CHARLES LAMB TO EDWARD MOXON

[P.M. July 24, 1833.]

For god's sake, give Emma no more watches. _One_ has turn'd her head.
She is arrogant, and insulting. She said something very unpleasant to
our old Clock in the passage, as if he did not keep time, and yet he had
made her no appointment. She takes it out every instant to look at the
moment-hand. She lugs us out into the fields, because there the
bird-boys ask you "Pray, Sir, can you tell us what's a Clock," and she
answers them punctually. She loses all her time looking "what the time
is." I overheard her whispering, "Just so many hours, minutes &c. to
Tuesday--I think St. George's goes too slow"--This little present of
Time, why, 'tis Eternity to her--

What can make her so fond of a gingerbread watch?

She has spoil'd some of the movements. Between ourselves, she has kissed
away "half past 12," which I suppose to be the canonical hour in Hanover
Sq.

Well, if "love me, love my watch," answers, she will keep time to you--

It goes right by the Horse Guards--

[_On the next page_:--]

Emma hast kist this yellow wafer--a hint.

DEAREST M.

Never mind opposite nonsense. She does not love you for the watch, but
the watch for you.

I will be at the wedding, and keep the 30 July as long as my poor months
last me, as a festival gloriously.

Your _ever

ELIA._

We have not heard from Cambridge. I will write the moment we do.

Edmonton, 24th July, 3.20 post mer. minutes 4 instants by Emma's watch.

[There used to be preserved at Rowfant (it is now in America) a letter
from Lamb to Moxon, postmarked July 28, 1833, mentioning Lamb's anxiety
about Martin Burney. It is unnecessary to print this.]

LETTER 587

CHARLES AND MARY LAMB TO EDWARD AND EMMA MOXON

[No date. ? July 31, 1833.]

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Moxon--

Time very short. I wrote to Miss Fryer, and had the sweetest letter
about you, Emma, that ever friendship dictated. "I am full of good
wishes, I am crying with good wishes," she says; but you shall see it.--

Dear Moxon, I take your writing most kindly and shall most kind