The Essays of Elia

This edition of The Essays of Elia reproduces Charles Lamb’s classic reflections on English culture, faith and social life as it stood in the early 19th century.

A much-loved figure of his time, Charles Lamb published numerous reflections on the changing and evolving nature of England’s society. Gifted at choosing topics that were unusual yet capable of holding reader’s interest, Lamb had experienced many facets of English life – educated at boarding school, his stutter meant he could not embark on a career in the church, so instead he worked in a merchant’s office and later as an accountant for the East India Company. He also suffered periods of mental ill-health, and witnessed the brutalities of treatment in the madhouses.

By all accounts an amiable man, Lamb’s gifts for observation are borne out in his Essays on Elia. These writings concern things such as old churches, chimney sweeps, teaching, and events in commerce and trade. Social life, be it depicted by weddings, yearly celebrations or popular superstitions in witches or otherwise, also feature in Lamb’s reflections. Throughout we find his humanity and good humor, as well as an informative portrait of a bustling England in the midst of industrialization.

The author’s Christian religion, and his knowledge of classic literature such as Shakespeare, are also presented. To this day, The Essays of Elia remain a well-rounded and unique window to the culture of England.