ONE 66 NE of the great charms of the "Essays of Elia" is the clearness with which they reveal the author's habits, opinions, and history. We are told about Elia's school-days, Elia's friends (almost the whole alphabet of capital letters comes in to represent them), and Elia's relations. We are informed what books he liked best, and what dish he considered most delicious, "princeps obsoniorum. We are let into some of his weaknesses-that he was extremely fond of a pipe; that he was by no means "incapable of Bacchus ;" that he loved lying in bed in the morning; that he liked sweeps. So constantly, indeed, does this personal element enter into Lamb's writings, that a very interesting life might be compiled from them alone. The difficulty is to know what to receive as fact. Charles Lamb drew largely on his own history for the material of his Essays, but he did not render it literally as if he were writing an autobiography, and were bound to be strictly truthful and authentic. He modified and transformed his experiences so as to produce a good artistic effect. And the reader will often be puzzled to determine whether a statement made with every appearance of sincerity is really true, or is wholly or partially fictitious. In the Appendix to this volume an attempt has been made to show what pretensions the "Essays of Elia" have to biographical accuracy. It has also been thought that a slight outline of Lamb's history, by revealing some of the many beauties, and some also of the weaknesses of his character, would bring the reader into closer sympathy with Elia, and enhance his pleasure in perusing the Essays. With this object the following brief and imperfect sketch has been written. Those who desire further information about this charming writer, and no less charming man may turn to the "Recollections" of Lamb's friend, Mr. Procter; or may spend a pleasant hour in listening to Mr. Percy Fitzgerald's easy familiar chat. The inner life of Lamb, his moral and intellectual history, is best told in his own delightful correspondence. Charles Lamb was born on February 10th, 1775, in Crown Office Row, in the Temple; and there he passed the first seven years of his life. He was the youngest child of Mr. John Lamb,* a clerk in the employ of Mr. Salt, one of the Benchers of the Inner Temple. Through life, Lamb retained a strong affection for the place where he was born, and everything connected with it. Its antiquated monastic air had from childhood a deep attraction for him. He loved its magnificent ample squares, its classic green recesses," its gardens, its fountain, and its sundial. It was to him "the most elegant spot in the metropolis." When a child, he was a frequent visitor at a fine old mansion in Hertfordshire, called Gilston,† where his grandmother was housekeeper. If we are justified in receiving the touching retrospect in "Blakesmoor" as a substantially true account of his childish feelings (as it is almost impossible to help doing), this old house must have had a powerful influence on his mind. He was 66 a lonely child," he tells us, "and had the range at will of every apartment;" he wandered through its lofty tapestried rooms, filled with antique moth-eaten furniture; or lay dreaming in the stately gardens with his favourite Cowley in his hand; he “knew every nook and corner, wondered and worshipped everywhere." In 1782, when just seven years old, Charles received a presentation to the foundation of Christ's Hospital, where he remained till he was fourteen. Little is known of his school-days. He was naturally of a shy and retiring disposition, and all the influences to which he had been exposed had tended to confirm his reserved and solitary * Lovel, of the Essay "On some of the old Benchers," &c. |