The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-13


We learn by the Anglo Saxon at Quebec of the demise
Of the we'll known English poe, and journalist, Leigh
Hunt He was the son OF West Indian gentleman who,
being resident Pennsylvania; during the revolutionary
war, rendered himself obnoxious by his loyalty the
Crown and was compelled TO seek asylum in the Old
Country. Leigh Hunt born the 18th OF October
17S4 ut Southgate, in Mddcsex and educated, like
his friends Lamb and Colcridge at Chris;s Hospital,
where he remained until he fifteen. He early cxhib
tied poetic turn having whilst at school written
fugitive pieces which nc afterwards collected and publish
ed After studying for time in tho office Of his bro
Their Stephen solicitor he obtained lucrative appoint
ment IN the War Department. which he, however, re-
nouncc in order to devote himself theatrical criticism
in weekly Journal the Nelw established by another
brother (John The articles written by him. in
ton with this paper, highly esteemed that they
collected and published, under the title Of Critical
ESSAYS Of the London Theatres, QSO7)"
In 1908 Leigh Hunt in conjunction with the same bro
Their John founded the Examiner the celebrated radical
itself the head the London weekly press Harrassed
by the tories then all powerful he several times became
the object Of official prosecution at their hands At last,
1872 they succeeded in getting him condemned 70 fine
$500 and two years Imprisonment in Horsemonger Jail
his brother and partner being awarded the same punish
After their liberation from prison the brother
continued the independent in their
JOURNAL but the Examiner ultimately passed into the
hands Of Mr. Foublanque, under whose management il
tanned stll higher reputation for independence and
ITCHY OF STYLE Soon after dsposng of the EsaMer Mr..
Hunt set up small weekly literary paper after the
fashion OF the Spectator and Rambler. but il did
meet with the success that he had calculated upon.
similar fate attended two quarterly reviews. the Ror
and the LIBERAL, which he subsequently undertook
The London Journal another enterprise Of his, had
better luck but TO compensate in degree for these
disappontments Mr. Hunt received, in 1S47 from Lord
John RUSSELL pension Of $500 for the services that he
had rendered TO the wing party.
nov only remains for us TO enumerate the literary
productions to which, FOR the remainder of his life Mr.
20 oar n
little in order to make the catalogue complete In 1915
he brought out his Feast Of the Poets" and The
Descent Of Liberty, ~ mask which followed in 1916
by his STORY OF Rimini,' which by many esteemed
one of the finest poecal compositions produced in Eng
land since the time of Dryden Then succeeded amongst
other poetcal works Captain Sword and Captain Fen
ISIS Foliage selection of original pieces and mita.
tons s1s) Ultra Crepidarius, satire directed against
Clifford Of the critics o. The unburg Review lSo3l:
Slories in Verse; (S33l; 1.-The Pafrcy. descriptive
poem esteemed for the richness its imagery and Gle
eance Of style gS42 To The theatre Mr. Hunt gave but
one drama, 1.-THE Legend OF Florence, in live acts and
in verse which the Queen shcrt time since caused 10 be
reproduced at Windsor.
In the first rank amongst his prose writings must be
mentioned Sir Ralph Esher,'' romance or rather au
imaginary autobiography es gentleman of the Court of
Charles u Lord Byron and His Contemporaries
work which brought upon the author Hie charge Of in
gratitude towards the iusrous poet; then The ndica
iorn 1.-THE Companion 1.-The Seer and several collec-
tons OF criticisms ESSAYS and scattered pieces under tn
several titles Of . Imagination and Fancy : WI, and
Hrmor 7 stories from the Italian Poets = liable TAX,
Men, Women and Books, " Selections from Articles
Inserted in Different Reviews, SC. &C.
Owing to the thorough knowledge which he possessed
of the resources Of the English language, Mr. Hunt
emincnty successful in his attempts 60 reproduce the
beauties and pecuorites of foreign poets and writer's
the long list Of his efforts in this way sufficient to
ton the "Armntap Of lasso, the Bacchus Of Red and
the i" Lutrin = Of Bolcau An erudite photographed
scholar, he became the editor Of several of the old
English poets, whose works he rescued from unmerted
oblivion and accompanied by interesting notices and
mcntarics Amongst the latest of his works must
omit 10 mention, . The Religion Of the Heart,n manual
Of the faith and duties Of man. according to the religious
IDEAS Of the author, who 10 have inclined towards
Deism "Thc Town, its Memorable Characters and
Events, and the Old Court suburb Souvenirs OF the
Royal Residence of Kensng,on,n Published in 1856.
The writings of Mr.. Hunt are IN general marked by
melancholy temperament but they bear evidence 81
benevolent and enlightened spirit, animated by pro-
found love q humanity Their style is pure and yigor
Gus, the only fault being, perhaps, much elaboration
Shelley in dedicatng 10 his associate just deceased the
poem of the "Cenc' speaks Of him with unfeigned en-
thusiasm, and Dickens in his Household Words resumes
his character in this brief sentence He the friend
of the human race" Mr. Hunt was close on his seventy
sixth year when death put termination TO lis literary
labors