18 APRIL 1903, Page 24

Sidelights on Charles Lamb. By Bertram Dobell. (Published by the

Author. 5s. net.)—Mr. Dobell's careful book is another proof of the curiously affectionate regard in which the memory of Charles Lamb (above that of any English author) is held by those who are sealed of his tribe. The book is a collection of er enc es to Lamb in obscure places which Mr. Dobell has—very

rightly, we think—considered it well to bring to light ; articles possibly by Lamb himself (certainly by him in several Pletaneee, notably the narrative of a brief sojourn in the stocks after a Sunday morning escapade,—Elia's immaterial legs in the stocks !) ; articles in the manner of Lamb ; and so forth ; all pre- sented with kindly care and a simple seriousness which Lamb, we think, would have found very winning.