[_Three lines here are erased_.] What I scratch out is a German quotation from Lessing on the bite of rabid animals; but, I remember, you don't read German. But Mrs. Patmore may, so I wish I had let it stand. The meaning in English is--"Avoid to approach an animal suspected of madness, as you would avoid fire or a precipice:--" which I think is a sensible observation. The Germans are certainly profounder than we.
If the slightest suspicion arises in your breast, that all is not right with him (Dash), muzzle him, and lead him in a string (common pack-thread will do; he don't care for twist) to Hood's, his quondam master, and he'll take him in at any time. You may mention your suspicion or not, as you like, or as you think it may wound or not Mr. H.'s feelings. Hood, I know, will wink at a few follies in Dash, in consideration of his former sense. Besides, Hood is deaf, and if you hinted anything, ten to one he would not hear you. Besides, you will have discharged your conscience, and laid the child at the right door, as they say.
We are dawdling our time away very idly and pleasantly, at a Mrs. Leishman's, Chace, Enfield, where, if you come a-hunting, we can give you cold meat and a tankard. Her husband is a tailor; but that, you know, does not make her one. I knew a jailor (which rhymes), but his wife was a fine lady.
Let us hear from you respecting Mrs. Patmore's regimen. I send my love in a ------ to Dash. C. LAMB.
[_On the outside of the letter was written_:--]
Seriously, I wish you would call upon Hood when you are that way. He's a capital fellow. I sent him a couple of poems --one ordered by his wife, and written to order; and 'tis a week since, and I've not heard from him. I fear something is the matter.
[This is from Patmore's _My Friends and Acquaintances_, 1854; but again I have no confidence in Patmore's transcription.
Dash had been Hood's dog, and afterwards was Lamb's; while at one time Moxon seems to have had the care of it. Patmore possibly was taking Dash while the Lambs were at Mrs. Leishman's. One of the children who might be amused by the dog's mad ways was Coventry Patmore, afterwards the poet, then nearly four years old.]
Dear Dib,--Emma Isola, who is with us, has opened an ALBUM: bring some verses with you for it on Sat'y evening. Any _fun_ will do. I am teaching her Latin; you may make something of that. Don't be modest. For in it you shall appear, if I rummage out some of your old pleasant letters for rhymes. But an original is better.