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.