<DIV><p>Charles Lamb, one of the most engaging personal essayists of all time, began publishing his unforgettable, entertaining Elia essays in the <I>London Magazine</I> in 1820; they were so immediately popular that a book-length collection was published in 1823. Inventing the persona of &ldquo;Elia&rdquo; allowed Lamb to be shockingly honest and to gain a playful distance for self-examination. The resulting essays touch upon a wide range of compelling subjects from the deliciously humorous &ldquo;Dissertation upon Roast Pig&rdquo; to the poignantly reflective &ldquo;New Year's Eve.&rdquo; Yet collectively they also comprise a fascinating personal memoir, veiled under the pseudonymous disguise of Elia. Now back in print with a new foreword by the distinguished personal essayist Phillip Lopate and with useful annotations, <I>Essays of Elia</I> will provide a delicious stylistic treat for all readers.</p></DIV>