which were libelled,-the very tranquillity and | which fell to his portion. We have endea beauty 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 of intertwisted fibres, grasping the earth by numberless roots, and bearing vestiges of "a thousand storms, a thousand thunders."

lived to complete the laborious work in which he sought to embalm his idea of his chosen hero; to see the unhoped-for downfall of the 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 unre

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|flecting nor ungrateful.

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES.

THE LATE DOWAGER LADY HOLLAND.

[MORNING CHRONICLE, Nov. 25, 1845.]

Ir seems scarcely fitting that the grave | breathing picture of his most imminent dan should 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 so spirit 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, per ments. For the remarkable position she oc-sonal or intellectual, was mentioned in slight cupied, during many years of those daily fes-ing phrase. Habituated to a generous partisantivals 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

ship 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

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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 often 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 the 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 literature, once the privilege only of a cloistered few, supplying the finest links of social 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.

not merely to claim, but to select for his own a portion in that inheritance which the mighty dead have left to mankind,--secured by the magic power of the press, against the decays of time and the shocks of fortune; or to exult in a communion with the spirit of that mighty literature which yet breathes on us fresh from the genius of the living; to feel that we live in a great and original age of literature, proud also in the consciousness that its spirit is not only to be felt as animating works elaborately constructed to endure, but as, with a noble prodigality, diffusing lofty sentiments, sparkling wit, exquisite grace, and suggestions even for serene contemplation through the most Personally till a few days ago a stranger to rapid effusions, weekly, monthly, daily given almost every member of your institution, or to the world; and, far beyond the literature rather cluster of institutions, I find now to-day, of every previous age of the world, aiding the in the little histories of your aims and achieve- spirit of humanity, in appreciating the sufferments, which your reports present, an affinity, ings, the virtues, and the claims of the poor. sudden indeed but lasting, with some of the And if I must confess, even when refreshed by best and happiest passages in a thousand earn- the invigorating influences of this hour, that I est and laborious lives. I seem to take my can scarcely fancy myself virtuous enough to place in your lecture room, an eager and join one of your classes for the acquisition of docile listener, among young men whom daily science or language, or young enough to share duties preclude from a laborious course of in the exercises of your gymnasium, where studies, to be refreshed, invigorated, enlight- good spirits and kind affections attend on the ened-sometimes nobly elevated, sometimes development of physical energy, there are yet as nobly humbled, by the living lessons of phi- some of your gay and graceful intermixtures losophic wisdom-whether penetrating the of amusement to which I would gladly claim earth or elucidating the heavens, or developing admission. I would welcome that delightful the more august wonders of the world which alternation of gentle excitement and thoughtlies within our own natures, or informing the ful repose by which your musical entertainPresent with the spirit of the Past;-happy to ments tend to the harmony and proportion of listen to such lessons from some gifted stran- life itself. I should rejoice to share in some of ger, or well-known and esteemed professor, those Irish Evenings by which our friend Mr. scattering the gems of knowledge and taste, to Lover has suggested, in its happiest aspects, find root in opening minds ;-but, better still, that land which is daily acquiring, I hope, that if the effort should be made by one of your degree of affection and justice which it so selves, by a fellow-townsman and fellow- strongly claims. I would appreciate with the student, emboldened and inspirited by the as- heart, if not with the ear, the illustrations of surance of welcome to try some short ex- Burns, by which some true Scottish melodist cursion of modest fancy, or to illustrate some has made you familiar with that poet, and enacherished theory by genial examples, and pri- bled you to forget labour and care, and walk vileged to taste, in the heartiest applause of with the inspired rustic "in glory and in joy" those who know him best and esteem him most, among his native hills; and with peculiar grathat which, after all, is the choicest ingredient titude to your directors for enabling you to in the pleasure of the widest fame. I mingle snatch from death and time some vestiges of with your Essay and Discussion Class; share departing grandeur in a genial art, which the in the tumultuous but hopeful throbbings of soonest yields to their ravages ;-I would hail some young debater; grow placid as his just with you the mightiest and the loveliest dramas self-reliance masters his fears; triumph in his of the world's poet, made palpable without the crowning success; and understand, in his blandishments of decoration or scenery by the timid acceptance of your unenvying congra- voice of the surviving artist of the Kemble tulations, at the close of his address, that most name-in whose accents, softened, not subexquisite pleasure which attends the first as- dued, by time, the elder of us may refresh great surance of ability to render palpable in lan- memories of classic grace, heroic daring, and guage the products of lonely self-culture, and softened grief, when he shared the scene with the consciousness that, as ideas which seemed his brother and his sister; and those of us who obscure and doubtful while they lurked in the cannot vaunt this privilege of age, may guess recesses of the mind, are, by the genial inspi- the greatness of the powers which thrilled their ration of the hour, shaped into form and kindled fathers in those efforts to which your causeinto life, they are attested by the understand-the cause of the youth of Manchester-breathing ings and welcomed by the affections of numbers. I seek your Library, yet indeed but in its infancy, but from whence information and refined enjoyment speed on quicker and more multitudinous wings than from some of the stateliest repositories of accumulated and cloistered learning, to vindicate that the right which the youngest apprentice lad possesses,

into the golden evening of life, a second spring, redolent with hope and joy, have lent a more than youthful inspiration. And while I am indulging in a participation of your pleasures, let me take leave to congratulate you on that gracious boon, which I am informed—(and I rejoice to hear it, as one of the best of all prizes and all omens in a young career)—your M