The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb Volume IV Part 92

"C. LAMB."

The two persons were undoubtedly Charles Lamb and his sister.]

Before proceeding to the MS. itself, it will be desirable to refer to Lamb's letter to Manning of February 15, 1802, in which he defends himself against Manning's animadversions on the changes found in the printed _John Woodvil_. This letter is addressed to "Mr. Thomas Manning, Maison Magnan, No. 342 Boulevard Italien, Paris." ....The italics are in the original:--"_Apropos_, I think you wrong about _my_ play. All the omissions are _right_. And the supplementary scene, in which Sandford _narrates_ the manner in which his master is affected, is the best in the book. It stands where a hodge-podge of German puerilities used to stand. I insist upon it that you like that scene." ...

There is one thing more to add. Its excuse is the best in the world--it is quite new. In that precious letter of February 15, 1801, is a pa.s.sage [printed in Canon Ainger's _edition de luxe_] which shows that Lamb (probably) tried George Colman the younger with "Pride's Cure." The potentate of the Haymarket was probably less sublimely courteous in his rejection than Kemble.

"Now to my own affairs. I have not taken that thing to Colman, but I have proceeded one step in the business. I have inquired his address and am promised it in a few days."

[The Manning copy of _John Woodvil_ is thus described by Mr. d.y.k.es Campbell]:--It is composed of foolscap sheets st.i.tched into a limp wrapper of marbled paper. The writing is chiefly Mary Lamb's; her brother's portion seems to have been done at various times, for the ink varies in shade, and the handwriting in style.

On the inside of the first cover, as before noted, is written the letter quoted above. Then comes a page with:--

Begun August, 1798, finished May, 1799.

This comes in beginng 2d act.

(Letter) of Marg. to John

[this being Margaret's "Letter" (page 160 of the present volume).]

On the reverse, Mary has written out the "Characters in 'Pride's Cure,'

a Tragedy." In this list Lovel and Gray are described as "two Court spies."

On the next page the play opens, but on the top margin is written:--

"Turn a leaf back for _my_ Letter to Manning.

"C. LAMB."

The point of the underlining of "my" is to distinguish Lamb's letter from Margaret's, which chance to face one another in the MS.

Then comes:--

Pride's Cure.

A Tragedy.

Act the First. Scene the First.

A Servants' apartment in Wodvil [_sic_] Hall.

Servants drinking.

A Song by Daniel.

"When the King enjoys his own again."

_Peter_. A delicate song upon my verity.

Where didst learn it, fellow?

And so on for some leaves without material difference from print.

After the speech [page 155] "_All_. Truly a sad consideration" comes this continuation of the dialogue:--

_Daniel_. You know what he said to you one day in confidence.

_Peter_. I have reason to remember the words--"'Tis a pity (said he) a traitor should go unpunished."

_Francis_. Did he say so much? _Peter_. As true as I sit here. I told Daniel of it the same day. Did I not, Daniel?

_Daniel_. Well, I do not know but it may be merrier times with us servants if Sir Walter never comes back.

_Francis_. But then again, who of us can think of betraying him?

_Peter_. His son, John Woodvil, is the prince of good masters.

_Daniel_. Here is his health, and the King's. (_They all drink_.) Well, I cannot see why one of us should not deserve the reward as well as another man.

_Martin_. Indeed there is something in that.

_Sandford enters suddenly_.

_Sandford_. You well-fed and unprofitable grooms.

And so on as printed, until we come to Margaret's reply to Sandford's speech ending [page 156]:--

Since my ["our"] old master quitted all his rights here.

_Margaret_. Alas! I am sure I find it so.

Ah! Mr. Sandford, This is no dwelling now for me, As in Sir Walter's days it was.

I can remember when this house hath been A sanctuary to a poor orphan girl From evil tongues and injuries of the world.

Now every day I must endure fresh insult from the scorn Of Woodvil's friends, the uncivil jests And free discourses of the dissolute men That haunt this mansion, making me their mirth.

Further on in the same dialogue comes the following, after the line in Margaret's speech [page 158, line 18],

His love, which ["that"] long has been upon the wane.

And therefore 'tis men seeing this Have ta'en their cue and think it now their time To slur me with their coward disrespects, Unworthy usages, who, while John lov'd And while one breath'd That thought not much to take the orphan's part, And durst as soon Hold dalliance with the chafed lion's paw, Or play with fire, or utter blasphemy, As think a disrespectful thought of Margaret.

_Sandford_. I am too mean a man, Being but a servant in the family, To be the avenger of a Lady's wrongs, And such a Lady! but I verily think That I should cleave the rudesby to the earth With my good oaken staff, and think no harm, That offer'd you an insult, I being by.

I warrant you, young Master would forgive, And thank me for the deed, Tho' he I struck were one of his dearest friends.

_Margaret_. O Mr. Sandford, you must think it, I know, as sad undecency in me To trouble thus your friendly hearing With my complaints.

But I have now no female friend In all this house, adviser none, or friend To council with, and when I view your face, I call to mind old times, And how these things were different once When your old friend and master rul'd this house.

Nay, never weep; why, man, I trust that yet Sir Walter shall return one day And thank you for these tears, And loving services to his poor orphan.

For me, I am determined what to do.

And so on as printed down to Margaret's line [page 158, line 3 from foot]:--

And cowardice grows enamour'd of rare accidents.

The three lines which follow in print [pages 158-9] are not in the MS.

Margaret continues thus:--

But we must part now.

I see one coming, that will also observe us.