as wide as his head was broad. I hallooed out quite loud, and felt pains
all over my body with the fright.

I have had the felicity of hearing George Dyer read out one book of "The
Farmer's Boy." I thought it rather childish. No doubt, there is
originality in it, (which, in your self-taught geniuses, is a most rare
quality, they generally getting hold of some bad models in a scarcity of
books, and forming their taste on them,) but no _selection_. _All_ is
described.

Mind, I have only heard read one book.

Yours sincerely,
Philo-Snake,
C. L.

[_The Farmer's Boy_, by Robert Bloomfield, was published in March, 1800,
and was immensely popular. Other criticisms upon it by Lamb will be
found in this work.

Lamb's visit to Cambridge was deferred until January 5, 1801.]




LETTER 70


CHARLES LAMB TO THOMAS MANNING
[P.M. Nov. 3, 1800.]