Chapter 341

CHARLES LAMB TO T.N. TALFOURD

[No date. Early 1834?]

D'r T.--[1]Moxon & Knowles are coming to Enfield on Sunday _afternoon_. My poor shaken head cannot at present let me ask any dinner company; for two drinkings in a day, which must ensue, would incapacity me. I am very poorly. They can only get an Edmont'n stage, from which village 'tis but a 2 miles walk, & I have only _inn beds_ to offer. _Pray_, join 'em if you can. Our first morning stage to London is 1/2 past 8. If that won't suit your avocations, arrange with Ryle (or without him)--but how can I separate him morally?--logically and legally, poetically and critically I can,--from you? No disparagement (for a better Christian exists not)--well arrange _cum_ or _absque illo_--this is latin-- the first Sunday you can, _morning_.

I am poorly, but I always am on these occasions, a week or two. Then I get sober,--I mean less insober. Yours till death; you are mine _after_. Don't mind a touch of pathos. Love to Mrs. Talfourd.

The Edmonton stages come almost every hour from Snow Hill.

[Footnote 1: Erratum, for M. & K. read K. & M. Booksellers _after_ Authors.]

[Ryle, as I have already said, was Lamb's executor, with Talfourd. Hence the phrase to Talfourd, "you are mine after."]