his snuff-box into the teapot when he was preparing breakfast for a hungry
friend, &c. But it is scarcely worth while to chronicle minutely the
harmless foibles of this inoffensive old man. If I had to write his
epitaph, I should say that he was neither much respected nor at all hated;
too good to dislike, too inactive to excite great affection; and that he
was as simple as the daisy, which we think we admire, and daily tread
under foot.

In 1799 Charles Lamb visited Cambridge, and there, through the
introduction of Lloyd, made the important acquaintance of Mr. Thomas
Manning, then a mathematical tutor in the university. This soon grew into
a close intimacy. Charles readily perceived the intellectual value of
Manning, and seems to have eagerly sought his friendship, which, he says,
(December, 1799), will render the prospect of the approaching century very
pleasant. "That century must needs commence auspiciously for me" (he
adds), "that brings with it Manning's friendship as an earnest of its
after gifts." At first sight it appears strange that there should be
formed a close friendship between a youth, a beginner, or student in
poetry (no more), and a professor of science at one of our great seats of
learning. But these men had, I suppose, an intuitive perception of each
other's excellences. And there sometimes lie behind the outer projections
of character a thousand concealed shades which readily intermingle with
those of other people. There were amongst Lamb's tender thoughts, and
Manning's mathematical tendencies, certain neutral qualities which
assimilated with each other, and which eventually served to cement that
union between them which continued unshaken during the lives of both.

Lamb's correspondence assumed more character, and showed more critical
quality, after the intimacy with Manning began. His acquaintance with
Southey, in the first instance, had the effect of increasing the activity