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vicissitudes and growing hopes of Italy；to ask the friends and children
around him for news of those whom he loved；and to send love and
messages to the absent who loved him。〃
Thus； with a manly simplicity and filial affection； writes the eldest
son of Leigh Hunt in recording his father's death。 These are the closing
words of a new edition of The Autobiography of Leigh Hunt； published by
Messrs。 Smith and Elder； of Cornhill； revised by that son； and enriched
with an introductory chapter of remarkable beauty and tenderness。 The
son's first presentation of his father to the reader； 〃rather tall； straight as an
arrow； looking slenderer than he really was； his hair black and shining； and
slightly inclined to wave； his head high； his forehead straight and white；
his eyes black and sparkling； his general complexion dark； in his whole
carriage and manner an extraordinary degree of life；〃 completes the
picture。 It is the picture of the flourishing and fading away of man that is
born of a woman and hath but a short time to live。
In his presentation of his father's moral nature and intellectual qualities；
Mr Hunt is no less faithful and no less touching。 Those who knew Leigh
Hunt； will see the bright face and hear the musical voice again； when he is
recalled to them in this passage： 〃Even at seasons of the greatest
depression in his fortunes； he always attracted many visitors； but still not
so much for any repute that attended him as for his personal qualities。
Few men were more attractive； in society； whether in a large company or
over the fireside。 His manners were peculiarly animated； his
conversation； varied； ranging over a great field of subjects； was moved and
called forth by the response of his companion； be that companion
philosopher or student； sage or boy； man or woman； and he was equally
ready for the most lively topics or for the gravest reflectionshis
expression easily adapting itself to the tone of his companion's mind。
With much freedom of manners； he combined a spontaneous courtesy that
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never failed； and a considerateness derived from a ceaseless kindness of
heart that invariably fascinated even strangers。〃 Or in this： 〃His
animation； his sympathy with what was gay and pleasurable； his avowed
doctrine of cultivating cheerfulness； were manifest on the surface； and
could be appreciated by those who knew him in society； most probably
even exaggerated as salient traits； on which he himself insisted WITH A
SORT OF GAY AND OSTENTATIOUS WILFULNESS。〃
The last words describe one of the most captivating peculiarities of a
most original and engaging man； better than any other words could。 The
reader is besought to observe them； for a reason that shall presently be
given。 Lastly： 〃The anxiety to recognise the right of others； the
tendency to 'refine'； which was noted by an early school companion； and
the propensity to elaborate every thought； made him； along with the direct
argument by which he sustained his own conviction； recognise and almost
admit all that might be said on the opposite side〃。 For these reasons； and
for others suggested with equal felicity； and with equal fidelity； the son
writes of the father； 〃It is most desirable that his qualities should be known
as they were； for such deficiencies as he had are the honest explanation of
his mistakes； while； as the reader may see from his writings and his
conduct； they are not； as the faults of which he was accused would be；
incompatible with the noblest faculties both of head and heart。 To know
Leigh Hunt as he was； was to hold him in reverence and love。〃
These quotations are made here； with a special object。 It is not； that
the personal testimony of one who knew Leigh Hunt well； may be borne to
their truthfulness。 It is not； that it may be recorded in these pages； as in
his son's introductory chapter； that his life was of the most amiable and
domestic kind； that his wants were few； that his way of life was frugal； that
he was a man of small expenses； no ostentations； a diligent labourer； and a
secluded man of letters。 It is not； that the inconsiderate and forgetful may
be reminded of his wrongs and sufferings in the days of the Regency； and
of the national disgrace of his imprisonment。 It is not； that their
forbearance may be entreated for his grave； in right of his graceful fancy
or his political labours and endurances； though …
Not only we； the latest seed of Time； New men； that in the flying of a
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wheel Cry down the past； not only we； that prate Of rights and wrongs；
have loved the people well。
It is； that a duty may be done in the most direct way possible。 An
act of plain； clear duty。
Four or five years ago； the writer of these lines was much pained by
accidentally encountering a printed statement； 〃that Mr。 Leigh Hunt was
the original of Harold Skimpole in Bleak House〃。 The writer of these
lines； is the author of that book。 The statement came from America。 It
is no disrespect to that country； in which the writer has； perhaps； as many
friends and as true an interest as any man that lives； good…humouredly to
state the fact； that he has； now and then； been the subject of paragraphs in
Transatlantic newspapers； more surprisingly destitute of all foundation in
truth than the wildest delusions of the wildest lunatics。 For reasons born
of this experience； he let the thing go by。
But； since Mr。 Leigh Hunt's death； the statement has been revived in
England。 The delicacy and generosity evinced in its revival； are for the
rather late consideration of its revivers。 The fact is this：
Exactly those graces and charms of manner which are remembered in
the words we have quoted； were remembered by the author of the work of
fiction in question； when he drew the character in question。 Above all
other things； that 〃sort of gay and ostentatiou