When I have been charmed with the productions of writers, who were either personally unknown to me, or unhappily dead, how have I regretted not being able to pour out my thanks for the pleasure they had afforded me: in this instance I rejoice that I have the happiness of knowing you, and of being able to express, though feebly, the admiration with which your genius inspires me; and of offering up my fervent prayers that you may be long spared to adorn and do honour to the age which is, and ought to be, proud to claim you. In writing to you I abandon my pen to the guidance of my heart, which feels with all the warmth for which _Irish hearts_ are so remarkable. A _poet_ can understand and pardon this Irish warmth, though a _philosopher_ might condemn it; but in addressing you, I forget that I am writing to one of the most eminent of the last class, and only remember that I am talking of _Odin_ to the most admirable of the first. I am at present reading _Academical Questions_, which, if _I dare_ take possession of, should not again find their way to Chiaja; _Odin_ I shall most _unwillingly_ resign, as I find it belongs to Lady Drummond; but if you have any other of your works by you, will you have the goodness to lend them to me? Pray name what day you will dine with us, accompanied by Mr. Stewart, to whom I owe my best acknowledgments for having lent me _Odin_. Believe me, My dear Sir William Drummond, to be With unfeigned esteem, Sincerely yours, MARGUERITE BLESSINGTON. Villa Gallo, April 24th, 1825. The above Letter is copied from the original in my possession. A. G. Edinburgh. * * * * * Minor Notes. _The late Judge Talfourd._--Some years since I ventured to request information as to the proper way of pronouncing the _Elia_, from the talented and kind-hearted Judge Talfourd, whose days have just been brought to a close under such truly awful circumstances. The ready reply which he gave to an unknown inquirer, whilst it illustrates the courtesy and cordiality of his character, may prove interesting to your readers. Temple, June 15, 1838. Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th, and to express my pleasure at finding that you sympathise with me in genial admiration of the delightful person to whom it refers. All I know respecting the signature of _Elia_ will be found at p. 65 of the second volume of Lamb's Letters. It was the real name of a coxcombical clerk thirty years dead, whom Lamb remembered at the South Sea House, and prefixed to his first essay (which was on the "Old South Sea House") in the _London Magazine_. The editor afterwards used it to distinguish Lamb's articles, and he finally adopted it. The _i_ is short (_El[)i]a_). It is an Italian name. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient and faithful servant, T. N. TALFOURD. C. W. B.