The publication of this volume, in 1830, was due more to Lamb's kindness of heart than to any desire to come before the world again as a poet. But Edward Moxon, Lamb's young friend, was just starting his publishing business, with Samuel Rogers as a financial patron; and Lamb, who had long been his chief literary adviser, could not well refuse the request to help him with a new book. _Album Verses_ became thus the first of the many notable books of poetry which Moxon was to issue between 1830 and 1858, the year of his death. Among them Tennyson's _Poems_, 1833 and 1842; _The Princess_, 1847; _In Memoriam_, 1850; _Maud_, 1855; and Browning's _Sordello_, 1840, and _Bells and Pomegranates_, 1843-1846. The dedication of _Album Verses_ tells the story of its being:-- "DEDICATION "TO THE PUBLISHER "DEAR MOXON, "I do not know to whom a Dedication 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 Publications, entrusted to your future care, would appear. With more propriety, perhaps, the 'Christmas,' or some other of your own simple, unpretending Compositions, might have served this purpose. But I forget--you have bid a long adieu to the Muses. I had on my hands sundry Copies of Verses written for _Albums_-- "Those Books kept by modern young Ladies for show, Of which their plain grandmothers nothing did know-- "or otherwise floating about in Periodicals; which you have chosen in this manner to embody. I feel little interest in their publication. They are simply--_Advertisement Verses_. "It is not for me, nor you, to allude in public to the kindness of our honoured Friend, under whose auspices you are become a Bookseller. May that 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. "I am, Dear Moxon, "Your Friend and sincere Well-wisher, CHARLES LAMB. "ENFIELD, _1st June, 1830_." The reference to "Christmas" is to Moxon's poem of that name, published in 1829, and dedicated to Lamb.--The couplet concerning Albums is from one of Lamb's own pieces (see page 104).--The Veteran in Verse was Samuel Rogers, who, then sixty-seven, lived yet another twenty-five years. Moxon published the superb editions of his _Italy_ and his _Poems_ illustrated by Turner and Stothard. Lamb's motives in issuing _Album Verses_ were cruelly misunderstood by the _Literary Gazette_ (edited by William Jerdan). In the number for July 10, 1830, was printed a contemptuous review beginning with this passage:--