(Poets English Romantic)

(Poets, English Romantic), Autograph letter signed, dated February [1808], likely William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne (1779-1848), writing to Miss Sarah Stoddard in Winterslow, concerning her proposed marriage to William Hazlitt, her brother's insistence the marriage take place from his house rather than London, and Melbourne's invitation to have the marriage take place at his own house, should Miss Stoddard wish it, four pages, framed. Note: The writer William Hazlitt (1778-1830), became friends with Sarah Stoddard's brother, John, through their common friend, the poet Charles Lamb. The letter suggests that John Stoddard was not entirely comfortable with an attachment between Hazlitt and his sister. Sarah became pregnant with Hazlitt's child in April of 1808, necessitating a marriage which took place on May 1, 1808 at St. Andrews Church, Holborn, London. Hazlitt eventually had an affair with a maid, and his marriage with Sarah was dissolved by mutual agreement in 1822. Lamb writes in the letter that " . . . next to the pleasure of being married, is the pleasure of making, or helping marriages forward." Ironically, Lamb's wife engaged in a scandalous affair with Lord Byron in 1812.