d five and forty times over. I have submitted it
to my Edmonton friends; at last (O Argus' penetration), I have
discovered a dash that might be dispensed with. Pray don't trouble
yourself with such useless courtesies. I can well trust your editor,
when I don't use queer phrases which prove themselves wrong by creating
a distrust in the sober compositor.

LETTER 597

CHARLES LAMB TO MARY BETHAM

January 24, 1834,

Church Street, Edmonton.

Dear Mary Betham--I received the Bill, and when it is payable, some ten
or twelve days hence, will punctually do with the overplus as you
direct: I thought you would like to know it came to hand, so I have not
waited for the uncertainty of when your nephew sets out. I suppose my
receipt will serve, for poor Mary is not in a capacity to sign it. After
being well from the end of July to the end of December, she was taken
ill almost on the first day of the New Year, and is as bad as poor
creature can be. I expect her fever to last 14 or 15 weeks--if she gets
well at all, which every successive illness puts me in fear of. She has
less and less strength to throw it off, and they leave a dreadful
depression after them. She was quite comfortable a few weeks since, when
Matilda came down here to see us.

You shall excuse a short letter, for my hand is unsteady. Indeed, the
situation I am in with her shakes me sadly. She was quite able to
appreciate the kind legacy while she was well. Imagine her kindest love
to you, which is but buried awhile, and believe all the good wishes for
your restoration to health from

C. LAMB.

[This letter refers to the legacy mentioned above. It had now been
paid.]

LETTER 598

CHARLES LAMB TO EDWARD MOXON

[P.M. Jan. 28, 1834.]

I met with a man at my half way house, who told me many anecdotes of
Kean's younger life. He knew him thoroughly. His name is Wyatt, living
near the Bell, Edmonton. Also he referred me to West, a publican,
opposite St. Georges Church, Southwark, who knew him _more_ intimately.
Is it worth Forster's while to enquire after them?

C.L.

[Edmund Kean had died in the previous May. Forster, who was at this time
theatrical critic of _The Examiner_, was probably at work upon a
biographical article.

Here should come a note from Lamb to Matilda Betham, dated January 29,
1834. "My poor Mary is terribly ill again."

Here also, dated February 7, should come a letter to William Hone, in
which Lamb, after mentioning h