The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-11-03
LETTER FROM LONDON.
LONDON, Sept. 80, 1853.
al. ILL.,. r al. N,,,...I r..


LONDON, Sept. 80, 1853.
To the Editor Of the National Era:
The great minds of English literature con-
temporary with Byron are fast disappearing
from earth. But few months ago, Tom Moore
was carried to the grave and excepting Leigh
Hunt only, there is not one now living of the
brilliant intellocts which shed such lustre on
England in the early part of the present cen
fury. He IL the only link left Va Of the chain,
and brighter could not be desired His name
shines, and will shine, in the literary constel-
ation of his day, to other ages and his pure
and happy thonghts, as expressed in his works,
will be as jars of honey" to many,
think the mass Of Americans know more
OF English literary men than the English do
themselves; and Il man who was personally
known to Byron, and whose writings have made
him famous, is oltencr the object of our esteem
than that Of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES we know
his mind through the medium of books better
than they do.
Leigh Hunt il nearly seventy years of age
His appearance IL prepossessing, and be bears
no resemblance whatever to the many mex
pressive attempts at his Likeness. have seen.
Iio is spoken Of rs the gray haired boy" and
the expression conveys good idea of his gentle
disposition and straight, youth like frame. He
is about five feet seven inches high, of delicate
form, extremely genteel in person. and has
long wavy hair white AZ snow, and bright
eve, full of kindness His voice is soft, silvery
musical His manners are easy and refined
Although not so tall by any means, nor yet 80
robust IN figure, no reminds an American OF
Henry Clay lie wears his hair a. did that
| statesman, aud the shape of his face is much
I - la,
fact ~ accounted for from his mother being a
| native OF Pennsylvania OF her ho loves to
speak, and he has an admiration for Philadel-
phia, the city of her birth
Not one of the literary contemporaries of
| Leigh Hunt, whose names are as familiar to
the reading world rs his felt poverty 80 keenly
as he Early thrown upon his own resources
| in Great London" he turned TO literature M
II profession; and although seldom successful
in his publishing schemes, he still won friends
and fame, but not much money. His labors
hare been great-his pay comparatively small.
lio is in receipt Of Government pension, aud
that, in connection with the proceeds of his
works, produces enough for his comfortable
support.
Our conversation turned upon the United
States. | soon discovered his knowledge of us
to be greater than that ordinarily exhibited by
most wcllntormed Engishmen. He express
ed pleasure with tho acquaintance shown by
Americans with English literature, and seemed
somewhat surprised NJ their knowledge in such
matters. Like many Englishmen, he has u
desire to yist the United States aud if his age
was not against him, he probably would All
intelligent persons know something If his his-
tory His father WIS West Indian, his
mother "A Philadelpbian. and all his brothers
and sisters we're born in Phlladel phia, he beng
the only Eugishinan Of tn family His father
was I" u Tory" and had TO fly from the vio-
lence Of the Democrats" ~ Leigh Hunt
calls the Whigs OF that day, and took up his
residence near London, where Leigh was born.
He has an American feeling, and slch ~ found
W exist in the descendants of Torres gene
rally on this side Of tho water He told mo
an anecdote Of a grand-on of West, the paint
or, little amusing in itself, which in worth
repeating The young man, feel ny "A pride for
his American cousins, determined upon paying
them visit and with an oye 10 economy, and
paying expenses took several OF the artists
works with him for exhibition HIS relatives
received him very well, except one particular
old gentleman and he, being AN inveterato
republican, said Mr.. Hunt, considered il
dl.repntable for ono of the family to make a
,hopman Of himself IL WAS humiliating to
young West to be thus rebuked; and from
the manner the occurrence was related 70 me,
concluded that West WAS not altogether
pleased with his republican cousins"
think it may be set down AZ fact, that
literary men generally begin their intellectual
labOrs for fame, and wind up with a much
better opinion Of pounds, shillings, and pence,
than they had on entering life. SO 1t is with
Leigh Hunt He says that it il gratifying TO
have an honorable fame but unless man
gains money with it, the distinction IL often
times a very great inconvenience. Celebrity
is a costly commodity and it's possessor (if he
have mind deIlcately inclined, and DO poor)
finds it more than equal to his income. MIR
Hunts fame has made him friends he will
never zee and his beautiful poem, "Abou
Ben Adhem," finds a response in every heart
San Americans said he, "speak to me
about it, and am inclined to think iis popu-
Iarty rests upon the sentiment it contains
that he who loves his fellow men, and is truly
charitable 10 his race is the true Christian.
The sentiment touches the feelings instantly,
and excites emotions Of love and charity to-
wards ALL He met with it in his Persian
readings, and it was 80 forciby impressed upon
bis mind, that he immediately woyo it into
rhyme He fully understands It's popularity in
America.
The life of an old man is cheered and COM
forted by knowledge OF the possession Of
means which put him beyond the possibility Of
want 10 is consolation that Leigh Hunt is
provided for in his latter days. He is q healthy
man now, and his life may yet DO prolonged
another decade Cheerful intellectual, viva
cious full Of snecdote, and instructive in con.
vcrsation, no IL charming companion, and
tho hours pass away in his company rs il time
we're passing gaily, trsading on flowers.
eminent that imprisoned him in his youth Tor
the merest possible expression of liberalism, is
now repaying him with pension. have al
luded to this before, but il is worth repeating.
Yours. truly. B. M.