Evening star., 1934-12-30
LIBRARY EXHIBITS
WORKS OF LAMB
Memorials of Essayist's
Life Shown in Centen.
ary Commemoration.

In connection with the commemora-
ton of the centenary of the death
Of Charles Lamb, the Library Of Con-
gress has opened an exhibition of
memorials of the great essayist's life
and work.
A copy of the printed edition of
Lambs first play, John Woodvn,"
1902. is one of the notable items dis
played. With 1t is shown copy Of
his two-act farce. 'Mr. H. or Beware
of a Bad Name" produced at the
Drury Lane Theater, London, Decem-
ber 10, 1906, and in Philadelphia dur
ing the season of 1912.
But even more interesting than
these specimens Of Lambs art as
playwright is facsimile of little
book for children, The King and
Queen of Hearts" published in 1905
and foreshadowing Lewis Carroll's
Alice in Wonderland" 1t has a place
of honor in case in the north gal
lery of the Library with copy Of the
first edition of Tales From Shake
speare," 1907, the classic which Lamb
prepared for Junior readers in col
alteration with his sister Mary. Plates
Of the Tales" are by william Blake
from drawings by William Mulready.
Dream Children" Shown.
The first printing Of Lambs Dream
Children" also is shown. 1t appeared
in the London Magazine for jan
uary. 1922. and is considered by his
biographer, E. v. Lucas, the most
beautiful Of all his writings"
In the case likewise are copies OF
Mr.. Lucas Life" and "At the Shrine
of St. Charles" Samuel Taylor Cole
ridges poem on Lamb In the An
nual Anthology" for 1900, bibliog-
raphy of Lambs publications from
1896 to 1884, Lambs Letters" as
issued by the Bibliophile Society, A.
Edward Newton's appreciations of
Lamb in End Papers" and THE
Amenities of Book Collecting" G.
Washington Balls copy of Thomas
Noon Talford's Literary Sketches and
Letters, Being the Final Memorials of
Charles Lamb" 1848; Thomas de
Quinceys "Recollections of Charles
Lamb" 1888, and volumes of the Lon
don Magazine, Homes Everyday Book,
the Gentleman's Magazine, the
Monthly Magazine and British Regis
ter, Hoods Gem, the Reflector, the
Examiner and other periodicals to
which Lamb contributed.
Works In Various Languages.
The universally of the authors
popularity is illustrated by editions Of
his works in different languages, the
list including Chinese, Hebrew,
photography or short hand and a
variety of basic" English intended
to serve as an international tongue.
Among the art books, is an edition
Of "a Dissertation Upon Roast Pig"
done In the Chinese manner" at
the printing house of Leo Hart,
Rochester. 1882. with colorful draw
ings by Wilfred Jones, and an edition
of one Of Lambs compositions for
children with pictures by Walter
Crane.
A series of literary curiosities as
sociated with Lambs career are rep
resented in a volume entitled Mrs.
Leicester's School, or the History of
Several Young Ladies, Related by
stories which Lamb himself wrote for
"the several" and seven which were
written by his sister; a play by James
Knowles with an epilogue by Lamb to
be spoken by Miss Ellen Tree: q po-
etical version of an ancient tale, THE
Beauty and the Beast" attributed to
Lamb but considered doubtful; and a
mock forgery" entitled THE Original
Letters, etc. of Sir John Falstaff," ;"
which Lamb is supposed to have per-
petrated in company with James
White, a personal friend.
Copy Of London Times Displayed.
To settle the question as to the
exact date Of the authors death, the
library shows the London Times for
Monday. December %, 1884, with
the announcement: Died, on the
27th inst, at Edmonton, after a short
illness, Charles Lamb, Esq, late of
East India House, author of the "Es-
says of Ella" and other works, in the
61st year of his age. He was de-
cidedly a man of genius; abounding
with original thoughts, and not less
remarkable for his power of moving
the heart than of amusing the fancy.
His amiable qualities converted even
casual acquaintances into friends"
The division of fine arts contributes
to the exhibition an engraved portrait
of Lamb by William Sartain after a
daguerreotype and several portraits
by Maclise, Raeburne, Henry Meyer
and others.
At the Folger Shakespeare Library
Lambs annotated copy of Shake
speare's poems and six letters by
Lamb to different friends are being
shown.
j. w. F.