Worcester daily spy., 1851-06-23
Literary Gossip.---No. Q.
"a. LoHN LEYDTN.


pha, 10 1913, b. "OIirer Old Sco9l Esq.,' and was
smiling the essential affinity to English Literature eS
hibted by this patriotic American Journal, eTen at
time when the echoes Of their hostile guns were boom
ing On the land and waters, when amongst The obituary
notices, my eye eH upon the Of Dr. John Leyden,
who "vhen vas Young and curly Ireekoned great
hero It's 9ag since DR.. Leyden died, and the record
Of his nav be considered old s;cry; yet it really
s not Co. for the example Of his energy, and the great
ness Of his genius are precious TO humanity Be
allowed TO .gsne into the shades Of orsealness Be-
sdes his ecceauicies and enthusiasm invest his per-
soaal history with an inierestthat is aInsyz new.
He WAS b5ra Qne Of the poorest Of Scotlana's poor
peasanry; and his early life was passed IN sgperlaTe
Indulgence, vel the yigor q bis Frame and the majesty
Of his Intellect, iled MIN triumphsnts above the De-
pressions Of bis condition, and eventually placed him
amongst the chiefs in the republic Of letters Lev len
attended the parish school, where he obtained the rudi-
meats Of bis edocaton with uncovered feet; aud be
took his position the forms Of the University Of
Edinburgh n the coarsest Of homespun Yet the arie-
toeratc al4na did dare laugh twice a, his IN
couth pronunciation of Greek or the ungyoned poverty
Ct his attire, for he a. proud as the proues Of
them, and his right strong. This poor youth
who supported himself b. teaching, and who faithfully
prosecuted his studies as student Of theology con-
ved in the coarse ofhis probation to acquire the mas
tery over eleven angosges 1t was Bishop Heller that
first stumbled ca him, 10 an Old bookstore IA Ednborgh
aad led him from his modest obscuri,y An in,roduc-
tion to Sir Walter Scott was his admission into the
hghes, literary circles Of the Scottish metropolis Ii
Leydeu who assisted Scott in the collection of the
materials the " Minstreasy Of the Scottish B9rder .
aad .he following nganecdote shows hi. enthusiasm in the
work. Scott had obtained The fragments of rare Old
ballad, bat had dspsired Of completely restoring it,
when discovered that aged conpe ia the soI-
tudes Of of the rural districts were 10 possession o
the precious lay. parry one day convened at 80
Castle street, dinoer. The genial smile and inspir
ing conversation Of the host had BmDed every face
with PLEASURE when sod3eny the wild tones of voice
heard echoing along the corridorr, the dining
room door was thrown open, aud John Leyden, with
his fair hair matted with sweat, his blue eyes cleaning
with inspiration, his Bnashionabe attire covered with
dust, and his shoes white sith travel was seen brand
ishng his arms wildly alof, and chanting The disder-
ated passages Of the old ballad. He had travelled
about fifty miles to consummate his purpose.
Leyden bad unbounded contempt for ANYTHING
which he conceived TO eBeiirravy
rnen, together with his national prejudice against Eng
Ishnen, conduced to render Rson the author Of the
@Percy Anecdotes particularly obnoxious to him, ant
the feeling heartily reciprocaed. Legion looked
upon Rtson he would upon dainty little EngEsi
poodle dog; Rtson had about as high an opinion Of
bear Of John Leydtn. This anlipathy manifesto
itself upon occasion in manner not very pleasin
TO Ritson, who most fastidious epicure and VIII
above all things hated afcooked meat. Leyden stun
bed upon Rtson in Scott's parlor one day, at Lass
wade, when the great novelist, himself, was engage
with yisers in viewing the beauties of the river Esl
grunt and stiff bow the only marks Of recogn
ton inerchanged by these two eminent parsonage
Leyden turning to Mrs. Scott asked il the sheriff wa
al home, his question being answered. and the offer
refreshments made, he solicited as favor, plate
raw beef steak and condiments, which he dispatched
Abyssinan fashion, to the horror of his foe. The ec
centricities Of Leyden very Marked and some
times most disagreeable, but his noble independence
his spotess virtues, his kindness of disposition, an
his remarkable genius, rendered him an especial fa
vorte with all who knew him. When about thirt
years Of age, and after he had received his license as
preacher Of the Gospel he formed the determination
proceeding to India for the purpose of studying its Ian
guages and dialects, and of presenting rescript Of il
Literature to the West No arguments could shake thi
resolution, and at last his reluctant friends applied
the government for Indian appointment to him
Lord Melville had at his disposal but that Of as
sistant surgeon, and Of course, il was supposed tha
Leyden could not avail himself Of this But what ar,
circumstances before an ardent genins? 1t was ST,
months before the appointment should be made, and sis
months to Leyden were worth six years to an ordinary
man. You do not mean to stand an examination, said
friend TO him one night at party, when The time drew
near do, in faith, was Leyden's repIy and taking
skeleton hand from his pocket he demonstrated the
coseness and constancy Of his study Examined before
board Of surgeons, he trumphantly Obtained diplo
ma and with his appointment, surgeons mate, SCI
out to explore the unknown world Of Indian literature
in the wake Of Sir William Jones. The fervor Of Lev
den's genius drank the springs Of his life. Unable
10 refrain from study he bent his books for tel
hours day. while the Indian fever was praying on hi
life He died, after giving promise Of far outrivaln,
Sir William Jones 10 the extent and amount Of hi
Oriental learning and knowledge. The story Of tn,
iriumphs Of his energy, talent, genius, and wi ove
the most depressing circumstances, should be told il
every lonely home inspiration and example to ,ht
young.