Rhode Island American And Gazette

Leigh Hunt —It is stated in the London Atlas, that a series of unsuccessful struggles, with a bitter fortune and distressing illnesses, have nearly prostrated the energies of Mr. Leigh Hunt—one of the most agreeable and lively writers of the day. His friends, in an earnest desire to relieve him speedily from troubles that cast their dark shadows into the future, have set on foot a proposal to print his poetical works in one volume, by subscription, and they appeal to the patrons of literature for their immediate and active support. It seems, from the importunate character of the prospectus, that the case of Mr. Hunt is an extreme one, brought on by unceasing labor, declining health, and domestic difficulties. The closing paragraph of the article in the Atlas, displays a generous spirit:—

Perhaps there are few men—even in this age of universal authorship—who have written more, or written so much in so pleasant and amiable a spirit, as Mr. Leigh Hunt. Every body appears to admit his merits, and even those who most strongly object to the peculiarities of his style, are not unwilling to grant him a kind consideration for the versatility, grace, and pictorial felicity that distinguish his writings. His faults of mannerism are the faults of exuberance; they every where denote the presence of a mind fruitful of resources, and rich in the powers of expression. Unlike that personal display which offends by its arrogance and insipidity, Mr. Leigh Hunt's egotism is always of a deprecating and social character. It would be a great injustice to his real claims upon public patronage, were we to affect an evasion of those grounds upon which his taste has been impugned; but they are mere specks in a ray, and can no more blind the rush of light in which they lie, than falling shadows can shut out the day. Now that he comes for the last reward of his labors, and that we are called upon to recollect wherein he has excelled rather than his failings, the office of criticism is at an end, and the work of patronage begins. Such a man has done enough to entitle him to be rescued from his misfortunes; and we hope that he will not find that his appeal has been made in vain.