THOMAS NOON TALFOURD, author of “Ion” and almost equally celebrated for his oration in defense of Shelley’s publisher, was the writer of a number of notable essays and reviews, which belong to the period when English prose style took its tone from the reviews of the “Quarterly” school of anonymous literary dictators. Talfourd, however, is companionable and pleasant rather than assertive in his mode of expression and he deserves to be remembered for this not less than for the subject-matter of his essays. He was born near Stafford, England, January 26th, 1795, and was educated for the bar. He served in Parliament, made a reputation as a forensic orator, sat on the bench of the Court of Common Pleas, wrote essays and plays, and published a “History of Greek Literature” as well as biographies and travels. The tragedy of “Ion” which is his best-known work was put on the stage in 1836. In 1837 he published the “Life and Letters of Charles Lamb,” and in 1849–50 “Final Memorials of Charles Lamb.” He died at Stafford, March 13th, 1854.