“I do not know to whom a Dedication of these Trifles is more properly due than to yourself.  You suggested the printing of them.  You were desirous of exhibiting a specimen of the manner in which Publications, entrusted to your future care, would appear.  With more propriety, perhaps, the ‘Christmas,’ or some other of your own simple, unpretending Compositions, might have served this purpose.  But I forget—­you have bid a long adieu to the Muses.  I had on my hands sundry Copies of Verses written for Albums—­

      “Those Books kept by modern young Ladies for show,
      Of which their plain grandmothers nothing did know—­

“or otherwise floating about in Periodicals; which you have chosen in this manner to embody.  I feel little interest in their publication.  They are simply—­Advertisement Verses.

“It is not for me, nor you, to allude in public to the kindness of our honoured Friend, under whose auspices you are become a Bookseller.  May that fine-minded Veteran in Verse enjoy life long enough to see his patronage justified!  I venture to predict that your habits of industry, and your cheerful spirit, will carry you through the world.

“I am, Dear Moxon,

“Your Friend and sincere Well-wisher, CHARLES LAMB.

“ENFIELD, 1st June, 1830.”

The reference to “Christmas” is to Moxon’s poem of that name, published in 1829, and dedicated to Lamb.—­The couplet concerning Albums is from one of Lamb’s own pieces (see page 104).—­The Veteran in Verse was Samuel Rogers, who, then sixty-seven, lived yet another twenty-five years.  Moxon published the superb editions of his Italy and his Poems illustrated by Turner and Stothard.

Lamb’s motives in issuing Album Verses were cruelly misunderstood by the Literary Gazette (edited by William Jerdan).  In the number for July 10, 1830, was printed a contemptuous review beginning with this passage:—­

If any thing could prevent our laughing at the present collection of absurdities, it would be a lamentable conviction of the blinding and engrossing nature of vanity.  We could forgive the folly of the original composition, but cannot but marvel at the egotism which has preserved, and the conceit which has published.

Lamb himself probably was not much disturbed by Jerdan’s venom, but Southey took it much to heart, and a few weeks later sent to The Times (of August 6, 1830) the following lines in praise of his friend:—­

TO CHARLES LAMB

On the Reviewal of his Album Verses in the Literary Gazette.