The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-07-17

i
est an article in the last Quarterly Rsve,c, on the
life and character of Theodore Hook. II presents
most touching and instructive evidence oil the
hearlessness Of the ice.e ncrusted world, and ava
kens the deepest sympathy for the suerings Of the
children of genius. Hook was, of a verify, one OF
the men of whom the world is not worthy. He was
the very incarnation of all that is brilliant anna
Bile and fascinating in humanity. And what wes
| his life-hs death-and his reward1
The Revieic gives us some details, to which we
would tain give wider circulation. OF his strug-
giles with publishers, and the war between pleasure
and indispensable toll, we have this graphic record
Whenever author gets into debt with his publisher
he ceases to be dealt WITH projected books
as he might otherwise have counted upon. Whenever
author having to suspect that he has pressed
rather much the beray and forbeai of one
publisher by literary engagements not yet fulfilled is
tempted into negotiation with another of the
trade, concerning MS which the first might naturally
have expected to be offered to himself there arises
jealousy and rivalry, which brings in its train most HUI
tangement OF bargains and anger re-
proach crushing degradation in a hundred shapes.
The secret history OF Hook reveals much OF this and
may guess what must have been the effect on his
the Consciousness while seated among the jewellers Of
prncely saloon that next ing must be-not given
to the mere toll OF the pen butdvided between scenes
like these in tho backshops of three -four eager rrta
ted booksellers and weary prowngs through the dens
of city for Of discounting this long BILL
savng of that attorneys threat less commonly
more urgently, Of quidatng debt to the grandee or
some of the smiling satellites OF his pomp.
"He felt" dixie of his heroes that aching
ton that sckening pang which those who have wasted
what can be retrieved sure sooner OF later to
experience and yet, after whole days conversation
with his lawyer aud his banker and after having made
sundy sage and serious resolutions the thought that the
- would rejoice in his distress and the - exult
at his fall flashed across his mind and he to fight
on and hope Tor better times"
There recorded in than usual detail one win.
ter visit at the seat OF nobleman OF almost unequaled
enthusiastically particularly fond OF Hook and always
mentioned in terms OF real gratitude affection Here
large party including some of the very highest
names in England the party seemed to have remained
together for more than fortnight, if went the
place filled Immediately by another less distin
gushed by the advantages of birth and fortunes Hooks
the only untitled nameexcept led captain and chap
lain two and some misses Of musical celebrity What
struggle he has TO maintain Every Thursday he must
meet the printer of John Bul to arrange the paper for
Saturdays impression. While the rest are shooting or
few hours to write his articles When they 60 to bed
Wednesday night he smugges himself into post chaise
and carried nifty miles across the country to some ap
morning spent in overhauling correspondence in all
the details the edorshp He, with hard driving gets
back the of the castle when the dressing
bell is ringing. Mr.. Hooks servant has ntimated that
his master slightly ndispesed he enters the gate as il
him answering placdly the inquiries of the ades-his
head ache fortunately gone at ast-que ready for the
turtle and champagne Puns rattle like
decorou hour the great lord and his graver guests
tires supposed that the evening is over-tha the house
is
But Hook is quartered in long bachelors gallery,
with half dozen bachelors Of far different calibre One
Of them dashng young earl proposes what the Diary
Hook, after his sleepess night and busy day, hestates
but is persuaded The broiled bones attended by
more champsgne-Roman punch-hot brandy and water
finally for there plenty Of buffers and grooms OF the
chamber ready to minister to the delights of the distant
gallery ever productive of fees to man maid The
is that they play deep, and that Theodore loses
great deal more money than he had brought with him
from town. or knows how to come at il he were there
I'm he eos naK w 81
head and as the fumes dispense perceves that he must
write instantly for meney No difficulty is to be made
the fashionable taller alas mercess jew to whom he
discloses the case, must, any terms remit hundred
pounds by return of post. 1t is accomplshedthe debt
he escapes meet the printer. This time the printer
brings payment Of salary with him, and Hook drives
nSSt &c asr a
When the time at last for him to leave his splendid
friend he finds that he has lost fortnight respects
book that must be finished within month or six weeks
and that what with travelling expenses hither and thh
Che has to deray the printers too and losses play
to silken coxcombs who consider him as an admirable
bodybuilding, and also invaluable pigeon since he
drains his glass well fills it he has thrown away
money than he could have earnsd By the labor Of
three months IN his own room at Fulham. But then the
rumble of the green chariot, is well stocked with
pheasant and hares as pauses in passing through town
ten as the Morning Post alluded to the noble peers
Christmas court, Mr. Theodore Hooks closed the
| paragraph of fashionable intelligence"
Amongst his other varied talents, Mr. Hook pos
| gives us a very amusing anecdoe, illustrative of
! Mr.. Hooks ertempore powers in this way:-
As far as our knowledge goes, England never had
really successful performer in this way except Theodore
Hook or course he failed occasionally either early
the evening very late, he did il but indiferently.
When the call we'll timed and the company such has
thing more marvellous than the felicity he display ed
He accompanied himself the psnoforte and the music
though not ANYWAYS the
iavoIite sport mimic OPERA and then he seemed
to triumph without effort every variety Of metre
and complication OF stanZs About the complete extern
poraneousnes Of the whole there could rarely be the
slightest doubt if he knew who to b. there, he
might have provided with few papable hts-but
he did the thing far the best when stirred BY the presence
Of strangers and as Mrs Matthews observes the staple
was almost always what had occurred since he entered
the room-what happened to occur while he was singing
Asfriend says The first time ever witnessed it at
gay young bachelors villa near Hghgate, when the
Much caret had been shed before the Ancient Mariner
proclaimed that he could swallow of anything,
duced-the bowl planted before the poet and as he
proceeded in his connection, Hook unbidden, took his
place the piano. He burst into bacch anal ofegreg
luxury every line of which had reference to the
thor ofthe LAY Sermons" and the "As to Reflection"
The was becoming excessively hottie first speci.
men OF the compound handed to Hook who
paused to quaf it. and then exclaiming that he was
stfed flung his glass through the window. Coleridge
with the aspect Of benignant patriarch, and demo
lshed another panethe example was followed general
Iy-the window was seive in an instanthe kind host
farhes. from the mark and his goblet made havoc
Theodore's resumption of the song-and window and
chandelier and the peculiar shot Of each Individual des
megmoration. In walking home with Mr. Colerdse, he
entertained and me with a most excellent lee
the distinction between talent and genius and de-
clared that Hook "true genius as Dante-fhat
his example," But this was many long year after
the reckless day Of the mysti6cations.
The conversational powers of Hook were unsur-
passed Sparkling and brilliant as were his wri.
| tings. they do not by any means give an adequate
idea of the charms Of his social converse. The re-.
| viewer says -
We have already expressed opinion, however that
Theodore Hooks ability in conversation above what
he eyemped in his writings. We have him in
| company with every many Of the most eminent men
of his time; and never, until he was near his end
| carried home with the impression that he had
ceen surpassed. He was Us entirely, as any parent
OF bon mots that have known, above the suspicion
| Of having premeditsted his point and he excel
/ Led in variety a. Ua of