The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-04 00:00:00

THE PEOPLE'S JOURNAL.

Since this excellent miscellany commenced, it has not
merely prospered, but improved; and we attribute this
not only to the bright talents engaged in its production
—the talents of the Howitts, Barry Cornwall, Charles
Mackay, Angus Reach, Ebenezer Elliott, liarriett Mar-
tineau, Mary Gillies, T. W. Fox, cum ceteris paribus—
but to the noble spirit by which every article in its com-
position is actuated. Unlike
i many of its contempora-
ries, the name of this journal is no mere catch-penny—
it is literally true. The interest of the people, the en-
lightenment of the people, the amusement of the people,
are throughout consulted; and consulted always with the
most spontaneous and genial earnestness. Should it
cease from any lack of encouragement, great blame will
ipso facto be attached to the multitude to whom it is
addressed. We cannot but think, indeed, that the
English public owe a debt of gratitude to the more
eminent amongst those names which we have enumerated
above; for deserting the more lucrative, and what many
would erroneously regard as the more honourable,
walks of literature, to aid in the dissemination of
truth, and goodness, and beauty among the industrious
portions of their countrymen. We say those more
substantial walks of literature would be erroneously called
more honourable, for what can be more honourable to
an author than to participate in some measure in the
regeneration of his fellow-men ? What could be loftier,
nobler, more elevated in every sense to the bookman ?
In what could genius display itself more vividly ? It is
impossible not to perceive the progress which this
opinion has already made, and the signal success with
which the ideal has been substantialised into the utilita-
rian. Animated with these sentiments, the pen has
carved out more lasting glory for humanity than all the
swords of all the conquerors of every bygone generation.
May such opinions spread and fructify! They have our
heart's benison. It is because we regard the abstract
grandeur of this great moral movement in our literature
that we are ever rejoiced at any fresh signal of its ad-
vance. And as one amongst these signals, the People's
Journal has ensured our most cordial sympathy. Per-
haps the most agreeable paper in the present part, to us,
is the " Biographic Sketch of Leigh Hunt," by William
Howitt ; the opening passage has a peculiar tone
about it tender, pensive, and affi'cting. And
looking at that exquisite portrait of the poet,
by Margaret Gillies, and reading his " Story of
Rimini," it is impossible not to entertain towards him
feelings of the liveliest interest. We would annihilate
the recollection of his recreancy towards the solemn
memory of our great Byron; and would fain trust that
the literary peesion list (so scanty, when the proverbial
indigence of authorship is remembered !) may speedily
be adorned with the name of Leigh Hunt. Speedily
we say ; for, was he not born in 1784 —t wo and sixty
years ago ? Sir Roh,rt Peel (whom, thank GA. we
may now class among our most patriot.c statesmen) not
very long since honoured that list by affixing an annual
income of two hundred pounds upon Allred] Tennyson ;
will he not call to mind the struggles, the labours, the
imprisonment, the books of L igh Hunt ? We hope so :
—heartily, we hope so. It would be almost inviduous to
particularise one among so many and such able contri-
butions as throng the columns of this excellent periodical ;
some instructive, some moral, some entertaining, but all
alike kindly intentioned. Briefly, however, we may ob-
Iserve that the People's Journal should be purchased and
read.