happiest mood, he used to dwell on the conver- | He paused for an instant, and then added in sational powers of his friends, and live over his sturdiest and most impressive manner, "an again the delightful hours he had passed with act which realizes the parable of the Good Sathem; repeat the pregnant puns that one had maritan," at which his moral and delicate made; tell over again a story with which ano-hearers shrunk rebuked into deep silence. He ther had convulsed the room; or expand in the eloquence of a third: always best pleased when he could detect some talent which was unregarded by the world, and giving alike, to the celebrated and the unknown, due honour.

was not eloquent in the true sense of the term; for his thoughts were too weighty to be moved along by the shallow stream of feeling which an evening's excitement can rouse. He wrote all his lectures, and read them as they were written: but his deep voice and earnest manner suited his matter well. He seemed to dig into his subject—and not in vain. In delivering his longer quotations, he had scarcely continuity enough for the versification of Shakspeare and Milton, "with linked sweetness long drawn out;" but he gave Pope's brilliant satire and divine compliments, which are usually complete within the couplet, with an elegance and point which the poet himself would have felt as their highest praise.

Mr. Hazlitt had little inclination to write about contemporary authors, and still less to read them. He was with difficulty persuaded to look into the Scotch Novels! but when he did so, he found them old in substance though new in form, read them with as much avidity as the rest of the world, and expressed better than any one else what all the world felt about them. His hearty love of them, however, did not decrease, but aggravate, his dislike of the political opinions and practices of their author; and yet, the strength of his hatred towards that which was accidental and transitory, only set off the unabated power of his regard for the free and the lasting. Coleridge and Wordsworth were not moderns to him; for he knew them in his youth, which was his own antiquity, and the feelings which were the germ of their poetry had sunk deep into his heart. His personal acquaintance with them was broken before he became known to the world

Mr. Hazlitt delivered three courses of Lectures at the Surrey Institution, to the matter of which we have repeatedly alluded-on The English Poets; on The English Comic Writers, and on The Age of Elizabeth-before audiences with whom he had but "an imperfect sympathy." They consisted chiefly of Dissenters, who agreed with him in his hatred of Lord Castlereagh, but who "loved no plays;" of Quakers, who approved him as the opponent of Slavery and Capital Punishment, but who "heard no music;" of citizens, devoted to the main chance, who had a hankering after "the improvement of the mind," but to whom his favourite doctrine of its natural disinterestedness was a riddle; of a few enemies who came to sneer; and a few friends, who were eager to learn and to admire. The comparative insensibility of the bulk of his audience to his finest passages, sometimes provoked him to awaken their attention by points which broke the train of his discourse, after which he could make himself amends by some abrupt paradox which might set their prejudices on edge, and make them fancy they were shocked. He startled many of them at the onset, by observing, that, since Jacob's Dream, "the heavens have gone farther off and become astronomical," a fine extravagance, which the ladies and gentlemen, who had grown astronomical themselves under the preceding lecturer, felt called on to resent as an attack on their severer studies. When he read a well-known extract from Cow-as an author, and he sometimes alluded to per, comparing a poor cottager with Voltaire, them with bitterness: but he, and he alone, and had pronounced the line "a truth the bril- has done justice to the immortal works of the liant Frenchman never knew," they broke into one, and the genius of the other. The very a joyous shout of self-gratulation, that they prominence which he gave to them as objects were so much wiser than a wicked Frenchman! of attack, at the time when it was the fashion When he passed by Mrs. Hannah More with to pour contempt on their names-when the observing, that "she had written a great deal public echoed those articles of the "Edinburgh which he had never read," a voice gave ex- Review" upon them, which they now regard pression to the general commiseration and with wonder as the curiosities of criticism, surprise, by calling out "More pity for you!" proved what they still were to him; and, in the They were confounded at his reading with midst of those attacks, there are involuntary more emphasis perhaps than discretion, Gay's confessions of their influence over his mind, epigrammatic lines on Sir Richard Blackstone, are touches of admiration, heightened by fond in which scriptural persons are freely hitched regret, which speak more than his elaborate into rhyme; but he went doggedly on to the eulogies upon them in his "Spirit of the Age." end, and, by his perseverance, baffled those With the exception of the works of these, and who, if he had acknowledged himself wrong by of two or three friends to whom we have alstopping, would have hissed him without mer-luded, he held modern literature in slight escy. He once had an edifying advantage over teem; and he regarded the discoveries of them. He was enumerating the humanities science, and the visions of optimism, with an which endeared Dr. Johnson to his mind, and undazzled eye. His "large discourse of reaat the close of an agreeable catalogue, men- son" looked not before, but after. He felt it his tioned, as last and noblest, "his carrying the great duty, as a lover of genius and art, to depoor victim of disease and dissipation on his fend the fame of the mighty dead. When the back through Fleet-street," at which a titter old painters were assailed in "The Catalogue arose from some, who were struck by the pic- Raisonnée of the British Institution," he was ture as ludicrous, and a murmur from others, "touched with noble anger." All his own who deemed the allusion unfit for ears polite. I vain longings after the immortality of the works

which were libelled, the very tranquillity and | which fell to his portion. We have endeabeauty they had shed into his soul,-all his voured to trace his intellectual character in comprehension of the sympathy and delight of the records he has left of himself in his works, thousands, which, accumulating through long as an excitement and a guide to their perusal time, had attested their worth-were fused to- by those who have yet to know them. The gether to dazzle and to blast the poor caviller concern of mankind is with this alone. In who would disturb the judgment of ages. So, the case of a profound thinker more than of when a popular poet assailed the fame of any other, "that which men call evil"-the Rousseau-seeking to reverse the decision of accident of his condition-is interred with posterity on what that great writer had done, him, while the good which he has achieved by fancying the opinion of people of condition lies unmingled and entire. The events of Mr. in his neighbourhood on what he seemed to Hazlitt's true life are not his engagement by their apprehensions while living with Madame the "Morning Chronicle," or his transfer of de Warrens, he vindicated the prerogatives of his services to the "Times," or his introducgenius with the true logic of passion. Few tion to the "Edinburgh Review," or his conthings irritated him more than the claims set tracts or quarrels with booksellers; but the up for the present generation to be wiser and progress and the development of his underbetter than those which have gone before it. standing as nurtured or swayed by his affecHe had no power of imagination to embrace tions. "His warfare was within;" and its the golden clouds which hung over the Future, spoils are ours! His "thoughts which wanbut he rested and expatiated in the Past. To dered through eternity" live with us, though his apprehension human good did not appear the hand which traced them for our benefit is a slender shoot of yesterday, like the bean-stalk cold. His death, though at the age of only in the fairy-tale, aspiring to the skies, and end- fifty-two, can hardly be deemed untimely. He ing in an enchanted castle, but a huge growth lived to complete the laborious work in which of intertwisted fibres, grasping the earth by he sought to embalm his idea of his chosen numberless roots, and bearing vestiges of "a hero; to see the unhoped-for downfall of the thousand storms, a thousand thunders." legitimate throne which had been raised on the ruins of the empire; and to open, without exhausting, those stores which he had gathered in his youth. If the impress of his power is not left on the sympathies of a people, it has (all he wished) sunk into minds neither unreflecting nor ungrateful.

It would be beside our purpose to discuss the relative merits of Mr. Hazlitt's publications, to most of which we have alluded in passing; or to detail the scanty vicissitudes of a literary life. Still less do we feel bound to expose or to defend the personal frailties

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES.

THE LATE DOWAGER LADY HOLLAND.

[MORNING CHRONICLE, Nov. 25, 1845.]

It seems scarcely fitting that the grave breathing picture of his most imminent danshould close over the remains of the late Dow-ger, or to embolden the bashful soldier to disager Lady Holland without some passing tri-close his own share in the perils and glories bute beyond the paragraph which announces, of some famous battle-field; to encourage the with the ordinary expression of regret, the de- generous praise of friendship, when the speaker cease of a widow lady advanced in years, and and the subject reflected interest on each other, reminds the world of fashion that the event or win the secret history of some effort which has placed several noble families in mourning. had astonished the world or shed new lights That event, which a fortnight ago was re- on science; to conduct those brilliant devegarded by friendly apprehensions as probably lopments to the height of satisfaction, and at the distance of some years, has not merely then to shift the scene by the magic of a word, clouded and impaired the enjoyments of one were among her daily successes. And if this large circle, but has extinguished for ever a extraordinary power over the elements of sospirit of social happiness which has animated cial enjoyment was sometimes wielded without many, and severed the most genial link of as- the entire concealment of its despotism; if a sociation, by which some of the finest minds decisive check sometimes rebuked a speaker which yet grace the literary and political who might intercept the variegated beauty of world were connected with the mightiest of Jeffrey's indulgent criticism, or the jest anthose which have left us. The charms of the nounced and self-rewarded in Sydney Smith's celebrated hospitalities of Holland House, in delighted and delighting chuckle, the authority the time of its late revered master, have been was too clearly exerted for the evening's prostoo gracefully developed, by one who has often perity, and too manifestly impelled by an partaken and enhanced them, in the Edinburgh urgent consciousness of the value of those Review for July, 1841, to allow a feebler expres- golden hours which were fleeting within its sion; but death had not then bestowed the confines, to sadden the enforced silence with melancholy privilege of expatiating on the more than a momentary regret. If ever her share of its mistress in crowding those me- prohibition, clear, abrupt, and decisive, indimorable hours with various pleasure, or on cated more than a preferable regard for livethe energetic kindness with which she strove, lier discourse, it was when a depreciatory tone against the perpetual sense of unutterable was adopted towards genius, or goodness, or loss, to renew some portion of their enjoy-honest endeavour, or when some friend, perments. For the remarkable position she oc-sonal or intellectual, was mentioned in slightcupied, during many years of those daily festivals in which genius, wit, and patriotic hope were triumphant, she was eminently gifted. While her own remarks were full of fine practical sense, and nice observation, her influence was chiefly felt in the discourse of those whom she directed and inspired, and which, as she impelled it, startled by the most animated contrasts, or blended in the most graceful harmonies. Beyond any other hostess we ever knew-and very far beyond any host-she possessed the tact of perceiving and the power of evoking the various capacities which lurked in every part of the brilliant circles she drew around her. To enkindle the enthusiasm of an artist on the theme over which he had achieved the most facile mastery; to set loose the heart of the rustic poet, and imbue his speech with the freedom of his native hills; to draw from the adventurous traveller a

ing phrase. Habituated to a generous partisanship by strong sympathy with a great political cause, she carried the fidelity of her devotion to that cause into her social relations, and was ever the truest and the fastest of friends. The tendency, often more idle than malicious, to soften down the intellectual claims of the absent, which so insidiously besets literary conversation, and teaches a superficial insincerity even to substantial esteem and regard, found no favour in her presence; and hence the conversations over which she presided, perhaps beyond all that ever flashed with a kindred splendour, were marked by that integrity of good nature which might admit of their exact repetition to every living individual whose merits were discussed, without the danger of inflicting pain. Under her auspices, not only all critical, but all personal talk was tinged with kindness; the strong interest

which she took in the happiness of her friends | out, and bring it within the sphere of his noble shed a peculiar sunniness over the aspects of life presented by the common topics of alliances, and marriages, and promotions; and not a hopeful engagement, or a happy wedding, or a promotion of a friend's son, or a new intellectual triumph of any youth with whose name and history she was familiar, but became an event on which she expected and required congratulation, as on a part of her own fortune. Although there was naturally a preponderance in her society of the sentiment of popular progress, which once was cherished almost exclusively by the party to whom Lord Holland was united by sacred ties, no expression of triumph in success, no virulence in sudden disappointment, was ever permitted to wound the most sensitive ear of her conservative guests. It might be that some placid comparison of recent with former times spoke a sense of freedom's peaceful victory; or that, on the giddy edge of some great party struggle, the festivities of the evening might take a more serious cast, as news arrived from the scene of contest, and the pleasure be deepened with the peril; but the feeling was always restrained by the present evidence of permanent solaces for the mind, which no political changes could disturb. If to hail and welcome genius-or even talent which revered and imitated genius-was one of the greatest pleasures of Lord Holland's life, to search it

sympathy, was the delightful study of her's. How often, during the last half century, has the steep ascent of fame been brightened by the genial appreciation she bestowed, and the festal light she cast on its solitude! How of ten has the assurance of success received its crowning delight amid the genial luxury of her circle, where renown itself has been realized for the first time in all its sweetness! How large a share she communicated to the delights of Holland House will be understood by those who shared her kindness, first in South-street, and recently in Stanhope-street, where, after Lord Holland's death, she honoured his memory by cherishing his friends and following his example; where, to the last, with a voice retaining its girlish sweetness, she welcomed every guest, invited or casual, with the old cordiality and queenly grace; where authors of every age and school-from Rogers, her old and affectionate friend, whose first poem illuminated the darkness of the last closing century "like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear," down to the youngest disciple of the latest school-found that honour paid to literature which English aristocracy has too commonly denied it; and where, every day, almost to her last, added to her claim to be remembered as one who, during a long life, cultivated the great art of living happily, by the great means of making others happy.

ADDRESS

AT THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE MANCHESTER ATHENÆUM, Oct. 23, 1845.

[MANCHESTER GUARDIAN, OCT. 25, 1845.]

If there were not virtue in the objects and purposes, and power in the affections, which have called into life the splendid scene before me, capable of emboldening the apprehensive and strengthening the feeble, I should shrink at this moment from attempting to discharge the duties of the high office to which the kindness of your directors has raised me. When I remember that the first of this series of brilliant anniversaries, which is still only beginning, was illustrated by the presidency of my friend, Mr. Charles Dickens,-who brought to your cause not only the most earnest sympathy with the healthful enjoyments and steady advancement of his species, but the splendour of a fame as early matured and as deeply impressed on the hearts of his countrymen as that of any writer since the greatest of her intellectual eras: when I recollect that his place was filled last year by one whose genius, singularly diversified and vivid, has glanced with arrowy flame over various departments of literature and conditions of life, and who was associated with kindred spirits, eager to lavish the ardours of generous youth, on the noble labour of re

newing old ties of brotherhood and attachment among all classes, ranks, and degrees of human family,-I feel that scarcely less than the inspiration which breathes upon us here, through every avenue of good you have opened, could justify the hope that the deficiencies of the chairman of this night may be forgotten in the interest and the majesty of his themes. Impressive as such an assembly as this would be in any place, and under any circumstances, it becomes solemn, almost awful, when the true significancy of its splendour is unveiled to the mind. If we consider that this festival of intellect is holden in the capital of a district containing, within comparatively narrow confines, a population scarcely less than two millions of immortal beings, engrossed in a proportion far beyond that of any other in the world, in the toils of manufacture and commerce; that it indicates at once an unprecedented desire on the part of those elder and wealthier labourers in this region of industry, to share with those whom they employ and protect, the blessings which equally sweeten the lot of all, and the resolution of the young

to win and to diffuse them; that it exhibits | not merely to claim, but to select for his own literature, once the privilege only of a clois- a portion in that inheritance which the mighty tered few, supplying the finest links of social dead have left to mankind,--secured by the union for this vast society, to be expanded by those numerous members of the middle class whom they are now embracing, and who yet comprise, as the poet says, "two-thirds of all the virtue that remains," throughout that greater mass which they are elevating, and of whose welfare they, in turn, will be the guardians,we feel that this assembly represents objects which, though intensely local, are yet of universal concern, and cease to wonder at that familiar interest with which strangers at once regard them.