for generalizing.) I want room to tell you how we are charmed with your
verses in the manner of Spencer, &c. &c. &c. &c. &c. I am glad you
resume the Watchman--change the name, leave out all articles of News,
and whatever things are peculiar to News Papers, and confine yourself to
Ethics, verse, criticism, or, rather do not confine yourself. Let your
plan be as diffuse as the Spectator, and I'll answer for it the work
prospers. If I am vain enough to think I can be a contributor, rely on
my inclinations. Coleridge, in reading your R. Musings I felt a
transient superiority over you: I _have_ seen Priestly. I love to see
his name repeated in your writings. I love and honor him almost
profanely. You would be charmed with his _sermons_, if you never read
'em.--You have doubtless read his books, illustrative of the doctrine of
Necessity. Prefixed to a late work of his, in answer to Paine, there is
a preface, given [?giving] an account of the Man and his services to
Men, written by Lindsey, his dearest friend,--well worth your reading.

Tuesday Eve.--Forgive my prolixity, which is yet too brief for all I
could wish to say.--God give you comfort and all that are of your
household.--Our loves and best good wishes to Mrs. C.

C. LAMB.

[The postmark of this letter looks like June 1, but it might be June 7,
It was odd to date it "Tuesday night" half way through, and "Tuesday
eve" at the end. Possibly Lamb began it on Tuesday, May 24, and finished
it on Tuesday, May 31; possibly he began it on Tuesday, May 31, and
finished it and posted it on Tuesday, June 7.

The Hertfordshire sonnet was printed in the _Monthly Magazine_ for
December, 1797, and not reprinted by Lamb.