I had intended that my next letter should have been to Bertha, but as I have am now able to tell you what has past with Charles Lamb, it may better be related to you, than thro one of the children. It was not till Monday last that I had an opportunity of seeing his letter:

– it was less offensive than I might have anticipated, if Harry & Gooch had not given me a previous account of it; & the perusal only confirmed the intention with which I left home, of addressing him in a manner correspondent to the feelings which I have always entertained towards him. We came here, as you know, on the Tuesday, & on Wednesday my first business was to write him a letter,

which Edith has transcribed. It was short, & in all respects, I think, what it ought to be. I disclaimed all intention of injuring or wounding him, – told him that if he had complained to me in any private or friendly manner, I would have inserted a note in the next review which should entirely have satisfied him that his letter had rendered this impossible, & I was sorry for it. But that nothing should provoke me to engage in a public controversy with him to make sport for the Philistines, – & that if he could as heartily forgive an unintended offence, as I did the way in which he had resented it, he had only to say so, & I would take the earliest opportunity of going to shake hands with him & his sister.

– This letter he found this morning at the India House, – & I have just received his reply,

– which is full of shame & contrition & kindness. So all is as it should be, & on Monday, if the weather permits, I shall as he requests, take Edith xx with me, & call upon them at their house at Islington.

This house you must know is near the New River,

& thereby hangs a tale. The river makes a turn there, & George Dyer lately coming from Lambs in broad noonday, & not seeing an inch before his nose, instead of turning where the river turned – walked straight on, into the water, – to his own utter astonishment, & the great satisfaction of a man

who is stationed in a public house near, to be on the look out for accidents of this nature: his fee for taking any person out of the river being five shillings.

You have had the history of our proceedings from Thrym. She returned to town last night with her Uncle & Aunt, & how she has been disposed of today I know not. I have been quietly at work here, & tomorrow walk in to breakfast with Wynn, & to dine – I know not where. Edith & Harry having full power to let me, – probably at M^r Monkhouses,

or Lady Malets.

Sunday we spend with M^rs Hughes.

My Uncle has just given me the Miniature.

Having told you this as I can add nothing which would give you more pleasure I may conclude. So God bless you. Kiss the children for me, – tell me how Cupn liked his book & his letter. You would hardly believe how pleased Wynn was to direct it & seal it with his official seal. – I am sitting (woe is me!) to a deaf & dumb painter.

Whether it be for Harry or Gooch I know not. – We go to Rickmans on Friday next. Once more good night – my dear Edith – your affectionate

I hope Rumpelstilzchen

is well. I would send my kindest remembrances to him if you knew how to deliver them