This is not said with a view to discourage her from writing, nor have the remarks made above any aim of the kind; they are rather intended to assist her in writing with more permanent satisfaction to herself.

She will probably write less in proportion as she subjects her feelings to logical forms, but the range of her sensibilities so far from being narrowed will extend as she improves in the habit of looking at things thro' a steady light of words; and, to speak a little metaphysically, words are not a mere vehicle, but they are powers either to kill or animate.[106] [106] Extract of letter to Professor Hamilton, Dublin, Dec.

23d, 1829.
67.

_His 'Play:' Hone: Eyesight failing, &c._ TO CHARLES LAMB, ESQ.
Jan.10.

1830.
MY DEAR LAMB, A whole twelvemonth have I been a letter in your debt, for which fault I have been sufficiently punished by self-reproach.
I liked your Play marvellously, having no objection to it but one, which strikes me as applicable to a large majority of plays, those of Shakspeare himself not entirely excepted--I mean a little degradation of character for a more dramatic turn of plot.