In the Footprints of Charles Lamb. By Benjamin Ellis Martin.
(Bentley and Son.)—This book, though bearing the name of an English publisher, was written and printed in America. That is no fault ; indeed, it may owe to its origin a certain enthusiasm of tone, not to speak of the excellence of the woodcuts. But surely the work of English admirers of Lamb is a little disparaged by the statement that there is " a total absence of what may be called a topographical biography of the man, or of any accurate record. of his rovings." That there is nothing on the precise lines of Mr. Martin's book, may be conceded ; but " total absence" is really absurd. The writer speaks as if he had studied exhaustively the Lamb literature, and yet introduces with an air of novelty things that are perfectly well known. This and a certain verbosity of style impair the pleasantness of the book. It may, however, be commended to all students of "Ella." The illustrations are all that'could be desired.
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