CHARLES LAMB TO ROBERT SOUTHEY

Oct. 31st, 1799.

Dear Southey,--I have but just got your letter, being returned from
Herts, where I have passed a few red-letter days with much pleasure. I
would describe the county to you, as you have done by Devonshire, but
alas! I am a poor pen at that same. I could tell you of an old house
with a tapestry bed-room, the "judgment of Solomon" composing one
pannel, and "Actaeon spying Diana naked" the other. I could tell of an
old marble hall, with Hogarth's prints and the Roman Caesars in marble
hung round. I could tell of a _wilderness_, and of a village church, and
where the bones of my honoured grandam lie; but there are feelings which
refuse to be translated, sulky aborigines, which will not be naturalised
in another soil. Of this nature are old family faces and scenes of
infancy.

I have given your address, and the books you want, to the Arches; they
will send them as soon as they can get them, but they do not seem quite
familiar to [? with] their names. I have seen Gebor! Gebor aptly so
denominated from Geborish, _quasi_ Gibberish. But Gebor hath some lucid
intervals. I remember darkly one beautiful simile veiled in uncouth
phrases about the youngest daughter of the Ark. I shall have nothing to
communicate, I fear, to the Anthology. You shall have some fragments of
my play, if you desire them, but I think I would rather print it whole.
Have you seen it, or shall I lend you a copy? I want your opinion of it.

I must get to business, so farewell. My kind remembrances to Edith.

C. LAMB.