Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-09-13

LEIGH HUNT.-"Ielgh hunt, lne popular
author, died in London on the 18th day of Au-
gust, in the 18th year of his age" This item
of news comes to us from England, by the
steamer Anglo Saxon. There are a great
many persons in this country in whom it will
revive crowd of recollections associated with
what they know of him through his essays and
poems. He wrote some of the most exquisite
essays in the language; and those who have
read the "Story of Rimini" should know very
well what he was as poet. We mention the
Story of Rimini, not because we deem it the
best of his poems, but because it has probably
been more circulated and read in this country
than any other. He was one of the brightest
richest, and most genial writers of his time.
Leigh Hunt was born at Southgate, Eng
land, October 49, 1854. His father, who was
educated in this country, married in Philadel
phia, settled in that city, ridden in cart there
for the sin of toryism, and at last driven to
England by the revolutionary storm, finally
became clergyman of the church of England
The poet gives in his autobiography most
readable account of his family, his school days,
his early friends and the beginning of his liter
airy development. There is, or has been en-
couraged in English schools something like
brutality. He says 1.-THE sight of boys
fighting from which l had been so anxiously
Withheld, frightened me as something devilish."
He was timid and shrunk from their brutal
ways; but this drew upon him general hos.
tility and he was compelled to cultivate cour-
age, else, as he says, "there was an end for
ever, as far as l was concerned, Of all these
fine things that had been taught me in vindica-
ton of right and justice" He found in him.
self all the courage necessary to resist ana
endure successfully. And herein the 'child
was father of the man."
In his early manhood he became a gallant
champion of the most liberal style of English
politics; and sometimes this championship was
inspired by zeal which could not pause to be
prudent As chief writer for the London Ex'
aminer he appears to have kept the tories in a
state of continual wrath. In 1872 he was pub
licly prosecuted for truthful but terribly Sc
we're article on that despicable wretch the
Prince Regent, known in history as George
Fourth OF course the decision was against
him. He was sentenced to pay fine of f1000
and be imprisoned two years. Then followed
an offer of delivery from the penalty ifhe would
no more attack the Prince; but he refused it
and went to prison, where he was followed by
the unwearied kindness of many friends.
This connection with the Examiner hinder
ed his literary reputation and kept it I'M
der cloud for long time. Not until
he had passed on toward old age, was he fully
recognized as one of the brightest and most
permanent lights of English literature. In the
earlier part of his life he spent considerable
time in Italy. He was there with Byron and
Shelley. His last days were spent at Ham,
mersmith, near London; and all who have
found access to him there describe him as a
rare specimen of beautiful old age. GLOW like
he seemed to his own glorious Abou Ben Ad-
hem" says one of his latest visitors. Is itnow
too much to hope that some publisher will is
sue complete edition Of his works for Ameri-
can readers