Lamb's acquaintance with Godwin, Holcroft, and Clarkson was formed about
this time. Godwin had been introduced to Lamb, by Coleridge, in 1800. The
first interview is made memorable by Godwin's opening question: "And pray,
Mr. Lamb, are you toad or frog?" This inquiry, having reference to
Gilray's offensive caricature, did not afford promise of a very cheerful
intimacy. Lamb, however, who accorded great respect to Godwin's intellect,
did not resent it, but received his approaches favorably, and indeed
entertained him at breakfast the next morning. The acquaintance afterwards
expanded into familiarity; but I never observed the appearance of any warm
friendship between them. Godwin's precision and extreme coldness of manner
(perhaps of disposition) prevented this; and Lamb was able, through all
his admiration of the other's power, to discern those points in his
character which were obnoxious to his own. Some years previously, Charles
had entertained much dislike to the philosopher's opinions, and referred
to him as "that Godwin;" and afterwards, when eulogizing the quick and
fine intellect of Rickman, he says, "He does not want explanation,
translations, limitations, as Godwin does, when you make an assertion."

When Godwin published his "Essay on Sepulchres," wherein he professed to
erect a wooden slab and a white cross, to be _perpetually_ renewed to the
end of time ("to survive the fall of empires," as Miss Lamb says), in
order to distinguish the site of every great man's grave, Lamb speaks of
the project in these terms: "Godwin has written a pretty absurd book about
Sepulchres. He was affronted because I told him that it was better than
Hervey, but not so good as Sir Thomas Browne." Sufficient intimacy,
however, had arisen between them to induce Lamb to write a facetious
epilogue to Godwin's tragedy of "Antonio; or, the Soldier's Return." This
came out in 1800, and was very speedily damned; although Lamb said that
"it had one fine line;" which indeed he repeated occasionally. Godwin bore
this failure, it must be admitted, without being depressed by it, although