* * * * *

Page 105. The First Leaf of Spring.

Printed in The Athenaeum, January 10, 1846, contributed probably by Thomas Westwood.  In a note prefacing the three poems which he was sending, this correspondent stated that “The First Leaf of Spring” had been printed before, but very obscurely.  I have not discovered where.

Page 105. To Mrs. F——­ on Her Return from Gibraltar.

This would probably be Mrs. Jane Field, nee Carncroft, the wife of Lamb’s friend, Barron Field, who inspired the Elia essay on “Distant Correspondents.”  Field held the Chief Justiceship of Gibraltar for some years.

* * * * *

Page 106. To M. L——­ F——­.

M.L.  Field, the second daughter of Henry Field, and Barron Field’s sister.  This lady, who lived to a great age, gave Canon Ainger the copy of the prologue to “Richard II.” written by Lamb for an amateur performance at her home.

Page 106. To Esther Field.

Another of Barron Field’s sisters.

The text of these three poems has been corrected by the Thomas
Hutchinson’s Oxford edition.

* * * * *

Page 107. To Mrs. Williams.

See note above.  In writing to Mrs. Williams on April 2, 1830, to tell of Emma Isola’s safe journey after her illness, Lamb says:—­“How I employed myself between Epping and Enfield the poor verses in the front of my paper may inform you, which you may please to christen an Acrostic in a Cross Road.”

Mrs. Williams replied with the following acrostic upon Lamb’s name, which Mr. Cecil Turner, a descendant, has sent me and which I give according to his copy:—­

      TO CHARLES LAMB

      Answer to Acrostics on the Names of Two Friends.

      Charmed with the lines thy hand has sent,
      Honour I feel thy compliment,
      Amongst thy products that have won the ear
      Ranged in thy verse two friends most dear. 
      Lay not thy winning pen away,
      Each line thou writest we bid thee stay. 
      Still ask to charm us with another lay.

      Long-linked, long-lived by public fame,
      A friend to misery whate’er its claim,
      Marvel I must if e’er we find
      Bestowed by Heaven a kindlier mind.

The two friends were Cecilia Catherine Lawton (see page 64) and Edward Hogg (see page 109).  In reply Lamb says (Good Friday, 1830):—­“I do assure you that your verses gratified me very much, and my sister is quite proud of them.  For the first time in my life I congratulated myself upon the shortness and meanness of my name.  Had it been Schwartzenberg or Esterhazy it would have put you to some puzzle.”

Later in the same letter, referring to the present acrostic, he said speaking of Harriet Isola, Emma’s sister, she “blames my last verses as being more written on Mr. Williams than on yourself; but how should I have parted whom a Superior Power has brought together?”