ubject of Lamb's _Reflector_ essay on Shakespeare's Tragedies (see
Vol. I.).

"Boydell's 'Shakespeare Gallery'"--the series of 170 illustrations to
Shakespeare by leading artists of the day projected by Alderman Boydell
in 1786.

"Coleridge's... exemplification." Lamb quoted incorrectly. The lines had
just appeared in _Friendship's Offering_ for 1834:--

In the hexameter rises the fountain's silvery column;
In the pentameter aye falling in melody back.

Coleridge took the lines from Schiller.

At Dr. Williams' Library is a note from Thos. Robinson to Crabb
Robinson, dated December 22, 1833, concerning Lamb's Christmas turkey,
which went first to Crabb Robinson at the Temple and was then sent on to
Lamb, presumably with the note in the hamper. Lamb adds at the foot of
the note:--

"The parcel coming thro' _you_, I open'd this note, but find no treason
in it.

With thanks

C. LAMB."

I give here three other notes to Dilke, belonging probably to the early
days of 1834. The first refers to the proof of one of Lamb's
contributions to The Athenaeum.]

LETTER 594

CHARLES LAMB TO CHARLES WENTWORTH DILKE

[No date.]

May I now claim of you the benefit of the loan of some books. Do not
fear sending too many. But do not if it be irksome to yourself,--such as
shall make you say, 'damn it, here's Lamb's box come again.' Dog's
leaves ensured! Any light stuff: no natural, history or useful learning,
such as Pyramids, Catacombs, Giraffes, Adventures in Southern Africa,
&c. &c.

With our joint compliments, yours,

C. LAMB.

Church Street, Edmonton.

Novels for the last two years, or further back-nonsense of any period.

LETTER 595

CHARLES LAMB TO CHARLES WENTWORTH DILKE

[No date. Spring, 1834.]

Dear Sir, I return 44 volumes by Tate. If they are not all your own, and
some of mine have slipt in, I do not think you will lose much. Shall I
go on with the Table talk? I will, if you like it, when the Culinary
article has appear'd.

_Robins_, the Carrier, from the _Swan_, Snow Hill, will bring any more
contributions, thankfully to be receiv'd--I pay backwards and forwards.

C. LAMB.

["Table Talk by the late Elia" appeared in _The Athenaeum_ on January 4,
May 31, June 7 and July 19, 1834. The Culinary article is the paragraph
that now closes the "Table Talk" (see Vol. I.).]

LETTER 596

CHARLES LAMB TO THE PRINTER OF THE _ATHENAEUM_

[No date.]

I have read the enclose