The Sun. — 1841-10-01 (London, England)

NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE. One of the best likenesses we have yet seen of the late Theodore Houk, -appears -by way of frontispiece to this Number, and is accompanied by a biographical sketch, from which it appears that he was fir a short period at Oxford, which we were not previously aware of, ".where he was matriculated and nearly rejected at the same time, from his over willingness to subscribe to the Thirty-nine Articles—' Oh; aye, to Forty, if you choose,' he said ; ' a latitudinarianism that somewhat shocked the grave Master ofSt. Mary's Hall." . On quitting. the University, Hook supported himself for some years by writing farces and melodramas for the stage; and during this period he was, of course, a frequent visitor to the green-room, .where he distinguished himself by his wit, and, above all, by his practical jokes, of which he was as fond as ever were Tiekell or Sheridan. The following are a few of his greenroom pranks : It was during the performance of these pieces that Hook naturally became a constant frequenter of the green-rooms of the different theatres ; and those who had then the privilege of the entree to the couLises can never forget the fun Which his presence produced. The entertainment behind the curtain was fully equal, if not superior, to that enjoyed by the audience before it. Never shall we forget the effect produced upon Dowton and the other actors on the stage during one of the serious scenes of a sentimental comedy of the day, by Hook's possessing himself of the livery coat of one of the under performers, and with a tragedy strut marching on to the stage to present a letter to Dowton, who; taken by surprise at the sight of the new performer, equld not utter a word, while the rest of the actors were convulsed • with laughter. We remember likewise one night during the performance of Monk Lewis's. melodrama of One o'Clx:R., or the Wood Demon, that Hook having found that there was a second speaking-trumpet in the property-room,. possessed himself of it, and placed himself in the flies. When the demon roared into speakingtrumpet No. I, "My prey—my prey," Hook, with speaking-trumpet .No. 2, continued the speech and the same voice, " RI. lan devilish hungry," to the great astonishment of the audience. This freak, however, drew down the serious anger of the manager, who threatened to expel the delinquent, but contented himself with locking up the second trumpet as a partieeps criminis. Theodore Hook's career as a novelist is well known. He was one of the most prolific writers of fiction of the day, skilful in bringing out the odd, humorous points of character, but invariably deficient in sentiment, which he never attempted without incurring ridicule. We subjoin the biographer's concluding remark: on this distinguished wit :  We will venture to assert that no tan wits of the present day ever said so many things worthy of remembrance as Hook. Had he been blessed-with a Boswell friend, what a book might be made ,of the good things which fell from his lips to create bursts of admiration, or roars of laughter, and to be detailed by the hearers at other tables on succeeding days. All Hook's early days were not however passed in fun—sOme of them were devoted to sentiment. Ire had two serious attachments, and if either of them had ended as he wished them to end, hook might have been a different man in some points, and still the delight of his numerous friends. One of them was the beautiful daughter of a retired actor, whose suppers in those days were celebrated for the wit which sparkled at the table—and the other was the (laughter of a gallant deceased General whom he had met during a visit at Taunton. The former was afterwards married to a member of a noble house, and still lives the ornament of the circle in which she moves; and the latter became the wife of one of our celebrated legal character:l, who has since been Solicitor-General and a Judge, «Ld has now been dead some years. Taunton will long remember the period of this courtship, for his mad pranks and his facetious sallies kept the whole town alive during the time he was one'of its denizens.  " A Tale of a Trumpet," is a lively poem from the pen of the new Editor, Thomas Hood. It cm) tains some smart, satirical hits, but, as a who!e, reads off rather languidly. " Phincas Quiddy " is a continuation of Mr. Poole's new novel. The shrewd, heartless, matter-of-fact character of the vulgar-minded hero is sketched with a pen .of caustic power, and bids fair to be one of the author's most successful delineations. " Gra-. duates and Undergraduates", is a tale the truth and force of which will at once be recognised by all who are acquainted with University habits. " Foreifin Sporting," by Nimrod, is tedious and wiredrawn. The style, however, is manly and unaffected, as is the case with all Mr. Apparley's writings. In the essay on " Country-towns," Mrs. Gore throws off several just and pointed remarks. How true is the following Country townsare daily losing their physiognomy. The surface becomes smoother and smoother, like that of our current coin, till, by the evenness of the superficies, the value is lessened. It may be doubted whether they alter for the better. A man may cease to he the yeoman, without becoming the gentleman. Superficial polish is often acquired, when the nature is not intrinsically improved. The heartiness of the country disappears, but the Politeness of the capital lags behind." The " Suicide's Burial" is un affecting story that makes its sure way to the heart by the simplicity- with which it is narrated. " A Reminiscence of an 'lrish Squire" will please /those who are content With good-humoured mediocrity.