Chapter 291

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 £1500) 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 All trace of this periodical has vanished, but it existed in December, 1832, for three numbers, and was then withdrawn.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.]