L.M. was Louisa Martin, who is now and then referred to in Lamb’s letter as Monkey, and to whom he addressed the lines on page 82, which come as a sequel to the present ones.  In a letter to Wordsworth, many years later, dated February 22, 1834, Lamb asks a favour for this lady:—­“The oldest and best friends I have left are in trouble.  A branch of them (and they of the best stock of God’s creatures, I believe) is establishing a school at Carlisle; Her name is Louisa Martin ... her qualities ... are the most amiable, most upright.  For thirty years she has been tried by me, and on her behaviour I would stake my soul.”

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Page 90. In Tabulam Eximii....

These Latin verses were printed in The Champion, May 6 and 7, 1820, signed Carlagnulus, accompanied by this notice:  “We insert, with great pleasure, the following beautiful Latin Verses on HAYDON’S fine Picture, and shall be obliged to any of our correspondents for a spirited translation for our next.”  The following week brought one translation—­Lamb’s own—­signed C.L.  Both were reprinted in The Poetical Recreations of “The Champion" in 1822, and again in Tom Taylor’s Life of Haydon, 1853.

Benjamin Robert Haydon (1786-1846) was for six years at work upon this picture—­“Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem”—­which was exhibited at the Egyptian Hall in 1820.  The story goes that Mrs. Siddons established the picture’s reputation in society.  While the private-view company were assembled in doubt the great actress entered and walked across the room.  “It is completely successful,” she was heard to say to Sir George Beaumont; and then, to Haydon, “The paleness of your Christ gives it a supernatural look.”  A stream of 30,000 persons followed this verdict.  The picture is now in Philadelphia.

Line 4. Palma.  There were two Palmas, both painters of the Venetian school.  Giacomo Palma the Elder, who is referred to here, was born about 1480.  Both painted many scenes in the life of Christ.

Lines 7 and 8. Flaccus’ sentence.

      Valeat res ludicra si me
      Palma negata macrum, donata reducit opimum. 
      Horace, Epist., II., I, 180-181.

(Farewell to performances, if the palm, denied, sends one home lean, but, granted, flourishing.)

Lamb has not quite represented the poet’s meaning, which is a profession of independence in regard to popular applause.

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Page 91. Sonnet to Miss Burney....