1837- 38. CHARLES LAMB'S LETTERS. 119 



alchemical retorts, crucibles, etc., painted in black, like the 

 Etruscan vases. Mr. Dobbie is to supply a Moritz Eetsch-like 

 design for the central part of some alchemical thing ; and won't 

 I be a happy man ! 



" I must scamper off to Christison, so forgive this scrawl." 



The length of letters in those old days is inconceivable to the 

 degenerate correspondents of this penny-post prepaying genera- 

 tion. When a letter cost thirteenpence halfpenny sterling, and 

 its recipient was expected to pay for it, his correspondent felt 

 himself on his honour to send the money's worth. Such, how- 

 ever, was not needed as a stimulant to brotherly affection. A 

 well-filled sheet of foolscap to Daniel, of date 20th January 

 1838, concludes as follows : " How I have wished to be beside 

 you, when reading Lamb's letters, which, after reading all the 

 reviews on them, I got hold of in reality this week. They are 

 most exquisite. I have laughed and giggled to myself over my 

 solitary cup, and wished I had been near to read them to 

 you, and have a sympathizing agreement in praising them. 

 Many of them, I think, far excel some of his essays. The India- 

 House and the Temple are now hallowed in my eyes, and if 

 ever in London, I shall take care to travel to them, and you will 

 join me, I am sure." And being now close to the foot of the 

 fourth page of a closely written sheet of foolscap, and one o'clock 

 A.M. striking, the letter abruptly closes ; but with the morrow 

 receives a postscript nearly as long as itself, embodying the 

 chronicle of an event famous in the College annals the great 

 snow-ball bicker of 1838. 



Here it is : 



" 20th January I8?8. 



" Good-morning ! You must have seen by this time a notice 

 of certain College disturbances, which being in truth riots or 

 insurrections, have a good deal excited public attention. The 

 newspapers have given most lying accounts of it, which I dare- 

 say, or rather am sure, you have already passed over as un- 

 worthy notice, knowing the doubtful morality of newspaper 

 editors, especially Eadical ones, towards students, who are of 

 necessity Conservative in their likings. Well, here's a true, 



