In The Footprints Of Charles Lamb

IN THE FOOTPRINTS OF CHARLES LAMB - 1890 - DURIN th G e half-century since the death of Charles Lamb, an immense mass of matter has been gathered about him and about his wrilings. In burrowing among the treasures and the rubbish of this mound, 1 have been struck by the total absence of what may be called a topographical biography of the man, or of any acczdrak record of his rovin, .. s with the exception of that necessario brief one contained in Mr. Laurence Buttons invaluable Liierary Landmarks of London. Such a shortcoming is the more marked, inasmuch as Lamb is so close identzyed with the Town. Not one among the men of ktters, whose shadows waA the London streets with us, Knew them better, or loved them more, than he did. In following his footsteps, I have found still untouched many of the houses that harboured him and l have taken delight in the task, before the restless and of reconstruction shall have plucked them former away, of he ing to keep alive the look of all that is left of fhe walls within which, re lived and laboured. From this mere memento of brick-and-ntortar-aZl my or2 p-inal intent-I have been Led on to a study of List of Illustrations. CHARLELSA ME, . FRONTISPIECE PALE The Temple Gardeens, fi-om C ozun O Bce Rozu, 14 By Juhi FirZZg Zoz e. A Corner i7z the Blue-Coat School, . . 18 B y Herbert Railton. The East zcfia House, . . 26 B y Herbert Railfoi. No. 7 Little Queen Sti-eet, . 32 The House i z Pe, 1to z7 iZZe, 39 The Feathers Tazler, . 48 By Nerberf RaiZhiz. No. 20 RusseZl Streef, Cozclzt Garden, . 78 By Nerbert Railtorz. The Cottage in CoZe6roofi Rozo, 96 B y He-be-t Railton. List of Illustrations. - The sun set but sct not his hope Stars rose his faith vnsearlier ul Fixetl on the ei orruousg alaxy, Deeper mid older sceinetl his eye And matched his sufferance sublime The taciturnity of time. IIe spoke, ancl words more soft than rain Brought the Age of oltl again His action won such reverence sweet, As hid all measure of the feat. - Exrk sos. Far from me, and from nly friendh, be such frigid philosophy as may contluct us, indifferent and unmoved, over any ground, which has been dignified I y nistlom, I mvery, or virtue. --SAMUEI, JOIIXSON.