Contributions to All The Year Round | Page 9

bed in a state of hydrophobia, and with the marks of
the dog's teeth. Now, the symptoms of that disease being identical with
those of another disease called Tetanus, which might supervene on Z's
running a rusty nail into a certain part of his foot, medical practitioners
who never saw Z, shall bear testimony to that abstract fact, and it shall
then be incumbent on the Registrar-General to certify that Z died of a
rusty nail.
It is hoped that these alterations in the present mode of procedure will
not only be quite satisfactory to the accused person (which is the first
great consideration), but will also tend, in a tolerable degree, to the
welfare and safety of society. For it is not sought in this moderate and
prudent measure to be wholly denied that it is an inconvenience to
Society to be poisoned overmuch.

LEIGH HUNT: A REMONSTRANCE

"The sense of beauty and gentleness, of moral beauty and faithful
gentleness, grew upon him as the clear evening closed in. When he

went to visit his relative at Putney, he still carried with him his work,
and the books he more immediately wanted. Although his bodily
powers had been giving way, his most conspicuous qualities, his
memory for books, and his affection remained; and when his hair was
white, when his ample chest had grown slender, when the very
proportion of his height had visibly lessened, his step was still ready,
and his dark eyes brightened at every happy expression, and at every
thought of kindness. His death was simply exhaustion; he broke off his
work to lie down and repose. So gentle was the final approach, that he
scarcely recognised it till the very last, and then it came without terrors.
His physical suffering had not been severe; at the latest hour he said
that his only uneasiness was failing breath. And that failing breath was
used to express his sense of the inexhaustible kindness he had received
from the family who had been so unexpectedly made his nurses,--to
draw from one of his sons, by minute, eager, and searching questions,
all that he could learn about the latest 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
reflections--his expression easily adapting itself to the tone of his
companion's mind. With much freedom of manners, he combined a
spontaneous courtesy that 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