LETTER261

letter261

charleslambtothomasallsop

[p.m.july13,1820.]

dearsir,idonotknowwhosefaultitiswehavenotmetsolong.wearealmostalwaysoutoftown.youmustcomeandbeatupourquartersthere,whenwereturnfromcambridge.itisnotinourpowertoacceptyourinvitation.to-daywedineout;andsetoutforcambridgeonsaturdaymorning.fridayofcoursewillbepastinpacking,&c.,moreoverwegofromdalston.wereturnfromcam.in4weeks,andwillcontriveanearlymeeting.

meantimebelieveus,

sincerelyyours,

c.l.,&c.

thursday,

[itwasduringthisvisittocambridgethatlambwrotehiseliaessayon"oxfordinthevacation."]