One of his sayings is
mentioned in the (Elia) essay of "My Relations." He seems to have been, on
one occasion, contemplating a group of Eton boys at play, when he
observed, "What a pity it is to think that these fine ingenuous lads will
some day be changed into frivolous members of Parliament?" Like some
persons who, although case-hardened at home, overflow with sympathy
towards distant objects, he cared less for the feelings of his neighbor
close at hand than for the eel out of water or the oyster disturbed in its
shell.
John Lamb was the favorite of his mother, as the deformed child is
frequently the dearest. "She would always love my brother above Mary,"
Charles writes in 1796, "although he was not worth one tenth of the
affection which Mary had a right to claim. Poor Mary! my mother never
understood her right." In another place (after he had been unburdening his
heart to Coleridge), he writes cautiously, "_Since_ this has happened,"--
the death of his mother,--"he has been very kind and brotherly; but I fear
for his mind. He has taken his ease in the world, and is not fit to
struggle with difficulties. Thank God, I can unconnect myself with him,
and shall manage my father's moneys myself, if I take charge of Daddy,
which poor John has not hinted a wish at any future time to share with
me.
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