I almost
dare pronounce you never saw his equal. His memory will come to me as the
brazen serpent to the Israelites." Robert Southey also, when writing to
his brother (in 1804), says, "Coleridge and Rickman, with William Taylor,
make my Trinity of living greatness." A voluminous correspondence took
place between Southey and Rickman, ranging from 1800 to 1839, in the
course of which a variety of important subjects--namely, History,
Antiquities, Political Economy, Poor Law, and general Politics were
deliberately argued between them. From this it appears that Southey, whose
reading was very extensive, must have had great trust in the knowledge and
judgment of Rickman.
Lamb's acquaintance with Godwin, Holcroft, and Clarkson was formed about
this time. Godwin had been introduced to Lamb, by Coleridge, in 1800. The
first interview is made memorable by Godwin's opening question: "And pray,
Mr. Lamb, are you toad or frog?" This inquiry, having reference to
Gilray's offensive caricature, did not afford promise of a very cheerful
intimacy. Lamb, however, who accorded great respect to Godwin's intellect,
did not resent it, but received his approaches favorably, and indeed
entertained him at breakfast the next morning.
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