The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-05-07
A Visit to Leigh Hunt.

lie lives IN Que oi the quiet, elegant
squares that have gradually been forming
all around the delightful neighborhood
of Kensington Park. After | had sat
down for a few minutes in his library
coming The books as had often done
before, but always do with renewed in,
terest-;he door briskly opens, and in
trips Leigh IIunt-in look, figure, and
manner, the " Immortal Boy % as his
friends have named him, quoting a fine
expression from his own poetry. 1t has
often been remarked, that one has al
ways some previous image Of such IA
man; and that frequently this image is
somewhat roughly dissipated by the re-
ality. But Leigh Hunt in imagination
and Leigh Hunt in bodily presence, are
much the same creature-light, brilliant
expressive-in constant elastic motion,
pslpitation il ma, be called, yet not m.
easy or preciptate, but serene and bright,
with perennial flow of cheerfulness
profound sympathes at the same time
ever mingling with the most tender or
joyous impressions-and free. growing.
half-careless, natural grace all about
him, as if born of the same spirit which
Wreathes
The sweet briar or the vine
Or the twisted eglantine.
II appearance-especialIy when ani>
mated by any incident or impulse. which
was the case when Timothy, some years
ago, aught the first glimpse of him-is
exceedingly fine. with much Of that IL
niqueness and fascination with which
Nature, often even externally, clothes
her favorites After the first instanta>
neous survey. your attention is pariicu-
larly rivetted by the forehead and eyes,
and by the quick, constant, youthful
play of his movements. More beautiful
eyes cannot be conceived; they seem to
be the very projections of those orbs of
the soul. They are dark, large, bril>
liant, finely penetrating, but without one
spark of tierceness, anger, pride, or any
tumultuous passions; nay. they are as
sweet as they are strong. as mild as they
are bright, radiant inspiration, sufiused
with thoughtfilness and wisdom, but ha-
btually soft with kindness, with good
ness, with gay-glancing wit which iris
ta,es but does not wound, and, at mo-
ments. deeply saddened into an express
sion of pensiyeness and pity. The fore
head embowers up from the eyes with
singular grace and beauty-not, per-
haps, massive or majestic-ior the whole
mold of the man is light, refined, deli
cate but it is full, compact, finely
rounded, and most expressive, not only
of fancy and elegance, but Of force, de-
cision, and active working power, both
in intellect and character. His hair,
which has been dark, but is now whiten-
ing, is neatly parted, and flows to con-
siderable length, but with modest grace, |
a little way over his shoulders. Nopart
Of his body ever seems to rest: but this |
is moi the fidgeliness of old age. or any |
uneasy irritabilily Of temperament it is
the downright overlooking, uncomfortable,
joyance and buoy ancy of youth, that are
within him fresh and strong as ever.
Even seated in his chair, all the i'm
mortal boy" reveals itself in him. These
will be shrugging and twist
ing, these legs will be cutting quaint ca
pers, these sharp feet will be darting out,
these fingers will be touching some book,
some pen, or tapping some friend on the
or breast, or, for very excess of
be lwirling in all shapes
round aud through each other. Then
what eladness comes over him, If you
want anyhing-ii he can only persuade
you TO have something. whatever il be,
, book. picture, another chair, bit OF
biscuit, a cup of tea with him,-whal
IN opportunity for the immortal boy "
o start op on those .hrobbing limbs,-- |