University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1911-04-13
Charles Lamb

writings are found in the covers of
bound volumes while the latter ap-
pear in the pages of daily newspapers
or current periodicals. An authOr-jour-
nalist is one whose works seep through
the pages of current literature into
book form.
Charles Lamb was an author jour
nalist. His writings appeared first
in tic London newspapers or were pub
lshed in the London Magazine. He
was writer of feature stories-the
author of stories that possessed great
literary value and little or no news.
He observed the principle of timeli-
ness, however, and most of his stories
were derived from some incident of
his day. S0rnets and poetry are also
found among his works.
Lamb is famed primarily for his
humcr. "A Dissertation On Roast
Pig" teens with laughter, brought by
the thought OF the story and the
unique phrasing employed in its writ
ing. His plots are humorous and ev-
cry situation is comical. The whole
catalogue OF his works contains humor
equal to or surpas sing that to be found
in the dssertion just mentioned. Ever
will his humor be found deep and in
tensely laughable. and never debased
or upon anything that could not be
enjoy ed in the most wholesome family
circle.
Lamb was a bachelor by nature. He
smoked his pipe with almost parental
fOndness and was an efficient critic
Of tobacco. In the stOrehOuses of his
employers were to be found bale up
on bale of the worlds finest leaf. He
displays another bachelor trait when
ne replies TO question regarding his
fCndness for babies, saying, Il like
EN- boiled, man, to the astOnished
matrOn.
Lcve fought its battle in the life of
Charles Lamb and left its DISSOLUTION
1t was on one of his visits to his grand
mother thai he met the ''fair-haired
maid" of mis- sOnnets and who is men
toned in other of his works. Some
times she appears as Anna" other
times as Alice W." supposed to
mean Alice Winterton. But it has been
since learned that the idol of Lambs
affections was Nancy Simmons-call
ed Ann Simmons. But Alice or Anna
or Nancy married silversmith in
Soho, so Lamb was forced into the
ranks of the bachelors. where he soon
acquired the habits and beliefs of his
fellows who live in single blessedness,
or Gus. edness," as it may be regard
cd
TIE one great overshadowing cloud
of Lambs life was black and most por-
tentCus-insanity. When about 30
years old Lamb spent six weeks in an
insare asylum which he comments on
to his friends. Were spent very agree
ably in a madhouse." This Eeems to
have cleared the horizon of his mind
bat in fit cf insanity his elder sister.
Mary. killed their riother with a butch
er knife. This horrible incident,
which occurred in 1896. caused Lamb
to devote his remaining years to his
sister in her affection. Fer months at a
time she would be confined i'll asylums
with long fits of insanity, and then for
a year or more would live cOntentedly
at home with her brother. Never
for q moment did the great heart of
Lamb cease to sympathize for his
sister, and TIE months she was absent
of regret in his letters. He cared for
her as tenderly and as generously as
brother could for sister. A the Damon
and Pythias of brotherly and sisterly
affection stand Charles and Mary
Lamb.
Wthile at school Lamb made the ac-
quaiLtance of Coleridge and they be-
came lifelong friends. Wordsworth.
Southey and others were Lambs
friends, and all seemed to find in the
essayist a great den;h capable of deep
er affection COleridge and Words
worth visited him at his home, only to
find at times note informing them
that his sister was ill-with one of
her periodical attacks-that the house
was so darkened by sorrow that he
cou,G not receive them, that This
gloomy house does not admit of my
mai ing my friends welcome"
Lamb was born February 10. 111J,
the youngest of three children of
John and Elizabeth Lamb. The oldest
,--h, &c -