Page:A history of booksellers, the old and the new.djvu/389

349 EDWARD MOXON. 349 some more substantial manner of livelihood than the cultivation of the Muse seemed ever likely to afford him. In this strait, Rogers came forward and gene- rously offered to start him in life as a publisher, and, with the goal of matrimony in view, the offer was eagerly accepted. Accordingly, in 1830, Moxon opened a small pub- lishing shop at 34, New Bond Street. The first volume he issued was "Charles Lamb's Album Verses," and the dedication sufficiently explains its purpose : " DEAR MOXON, I do not know to whom a Dedi- cation of these trifles is more properly due than to yourself: you suggested the printing of them you were desirous of exhibiting a specimen of the manner in which the publications entrusted to your future care would appear. With more propriety, perhaps, the * Christmas,' or some of your own simple, unpre- tending compositions, might have served this purpose. But I forget you have bid a long adieu to the Muse ... it is not for me nor you to allude in public to the kindness of our honoured friend, under whose auspices you are becoming a bookseller. May this fine-minded veteran in verse enjoy life long enough to see his patronage justified. I venture to predict that your habits of industry, and your cheerful spirit, will carry you through the world. "ENFIELD, ist June, 1830." An unfavourable notice of these " Album Verses " appeared in the Literary Gazette ; but Lamb was too well loved to lack defenders, and some verses in reply, by Southey, were soon afterwards inserted in the Times. In the following year the Englishman's Magazine