PR4813 .B7 copy 2 "^"^^ Bgc!" ^, m Class __2'HAUL3 Book Jir CopyriglitN"_J" sU^ *A coBmiam deposit. AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE It ' AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE AN EVENING WITH LEIGH HUNT . PRIVATELY PRINTED FOR THE FRIENDS OF LUTHER ALBERTUS AND ELINORE TAYLOR BREWER CEDAR RAPIDS IOWA CHRISTMAS NINETEEN HUNDRED TWENTY COjv^ Copyright 19S0 By Luther A. Brewer V nf-c 1 i iM 'J ^ClA604770 ^'" AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE THIS is another stormy Sunday, one like unto that we told about in Beside our Fire- place. For twenty-four hours the snow has been falling and the wind has been drifting it in compact masses on the front porch and on the walks about the house. Though the hour is mid- afternoon only, already we have thrice wielded the shovel in a vain effort to clear the paths for the few pedestrians bold enough to use them. Unless we weary in our Christian-like conduct, our Trojan labors will be repeated at least twice more before bed-time. In the intervals between these periods of labor our thoughts involuntarily have gone out to our friends, to those friendly men and women whom the years have brought us and whom the lengthening days of our lives draw more inti- mately to us. And the question comes up for an answer: Shall we arrange, as in the years agone, for a renewal of those pleasant gatherings around the fireplace and beneath the reading lamp? None of us is without selfishness, yet it is a 6 AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE vice which no one will forgive in others. Mil- ton's Satan, you know, would rather reign in hell than serve in heaven. We prefer to serve. These are strenuous after-the-war days, and as Shakespeare long ago remarked, ''these should be hours for necessities, not for delights ; times to repair our nature with comforting re- pose, and not for us to waste." But we work no man or cause an injury by assembling before the cheerful fireplace. We are able to do better our new tasks in a per- turbed world because of the evenings we may spend in the library with books and letters and etchings as our helpful companions. Hence, friends, we invite you once more to share our joys, which will be doubled because of your kindly interest. We are a little bit uncertain, however, what shall be, or what ought to be, the subject of our conversation. One of the goodly company ac- customed to gather beside our reading lamp offers the suggestion that it would be pleasing to meet with the Mermaid Tavern cronies, or the brilliant company who founded the Literary Club, or with Charles Lamb and the good fel- lows who loved to gather in his small chambers to play whist, drink punch, and listen to such AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE 7 talk as never was before and never will be again. Does not this suggestion captivate one? But how can such things be in these days that are dry as dust with no hope of relief! Can one imagine a Mermaid Tavern, a club like the Lit- erary, or a meeting at Lamb's in these parched times? Under proper conditions, what a book might be written about any one of these historic organizations! Some day this must be done, for there were great doings at the Mermaid when Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, Beaumont and Fletcher (fine and beautiful friendship), and their cronies were present. Drollery, repartee, wise sayings, peals of laughter — all were heard there. And equally delightful would it be to sit in at a session of the Literary Club, Samuel Johnson in the chair, and to listen to the fine talk by him, and by Goldsmith, Burke, Rey- nolds, Garrick, and others. Then there are Charles Lamb's rooms in the Inner Temple, a quiet whist table in one comer. Hunt, Godwin, Hazlitt, Coleridge, Wordsworth occasionally, and other brilliant men present. What talk there, stimulated by the punch that has been passed around! No, these are subjects for other years. We will talk about lesser literary doings. 8 AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE 'Tis said that it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Equally difficult, surely, is it to break a veteran collector of a long continued habit. Like the vase in which roses have once been distilled, you may shatter the collector's fortune or remind him of the necessities brought on by a calamitous war, yet the aroma of old books and the fragrance that breathes out of old letters will cling to his soul so closely that he cannot break away from the things that have brought, in the days that have gone, rest and peace to his mind. We have made efforts the past few years to cease collecting books. Catalogues have been received and read, the items for which our soul longed have been marked, and then the enticing pamphlets have been laid aside for a day or two until strength could be gained to pitch them into the waste basket. Self-denial has been our lot — except along one line. Before war w^as our part, we had begun to accumulate a set of the first editions of Leigh Hunt. We had also from time to time picked up autograph letters of Hunt with which to adorn these first editions. Splendid progress towards a complete collection had been made. Only a few of the rarest of his books were lack- ing on the shelves of our library consecrated to AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE 9 Hunt. It would have been quite unbusiness-like to have marred the value of what we had, by failure to acquire, as opportunity offered, the volumes we did not have. Ergo, our Hunt collection has been growing. Let us, then, spend an evening with Leigh Hunt, of whom Charles Dickens wrote: *'His was essentially human nature, rich and inclu- sive . . . sometimes over-clouded with the shadow of affliction, but more often bright and hopeful, and at all times sympathetic ; taking a keen delight in all beautiful things — in the ex- haustless world of books and art, in the rising genius of young authors, in the immortal lan- guage of music, in trees, and flowers, . . . in the sunlight which came, as he used to say, like a visitor out of heaven, glorifying humble places; in the genial intercourse of mind with mind ; in the most trifling incidents of daily life that spoke of truth and nature, ... in the domesticities of family life, and in the general progress of the world, . . . who, in the midst of the sorest temptations, maintained his honesty unblemished by a single stain — who, in all public and private transactions, was the very soul of truth and honor. ' ' All students of Hunt will not agree with this 10 ABOUND THE LIBRARY TABLE estimate. His conduct towards Byron has been bitterly assailed, and, it seems to us, somewhat justly. It is alleged by some of his critics that his friendship for Shelley was based upon his ability to secure generous loans of money which he never repaid. But we may forget these imperfections of character, for he is such a genial fireside com- panion, he so charms us by his cheerfulness un- tainted by his many sorrows, and he is so ap- pealing to lovers of books because he was him- self one of their fondest lovers. Like our good- ly company, he, too, rejoiced in the open grate fire. One of his most charming essays bears the attractive title '*A Day by the Fire." So at this time we ask you to gather around the big table in our library where we may visit informally, and talk of the fellowship of books, and look at some Hunt rarities. We are hungry for your companionship, and while, possibly, your presence is not essential to complete our happiness, for we have friends on the shelves that are a solace to us at all times, yet we want you to know that we hold you in great esteem. And speaking of ' 'friends on the shelves," where can one find friends more steadfast and loyal ? These books of ours never dispute with AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE 11 lis when we are weary, never tire us with small- talk. There is complete harmony at all times. Among them are friends for every mood; we are never alone when in the library. Scipio's remark that "a man is never less alone than when he is alone — nunquam minus solus quam cum solus — shows him to have been a book- lover. Books, wrote that prince of book-lovers, Richard de Bury, * * are masters who instruct us without rod or ferrule; if you approach them they are not asleep ; if you enquire of them they do not withdraw themselves; they never chide you when you make mistakes ; they never laugh if you are ignorant. ' ' All sorts of delightful hobbies may be in- dulged in a library. We may go fishing even though the waters are covered with ice ; we may go camping though the snow covers the earth and the biting winds blow. In truth, it is per- mitted us to take all sorts of vacations and to work, if we so desire, at various pursuits. All things are possible to him who has surrounded himself with books that "are so many faithful and serviceable friends, gently teaching us everything through their persuasive and wise experience. ' ' Richard Le Gallienne finely expressed the thought of some of us Avhen he wrote : 12 AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE With Pipe and Book at close of day, Oh, ivhat is sweeter, mortal say? It matters not what hook on knee. Old Izaak or the Odyssey, It matters not meerschaum or clay. And though one's eyes will dream astray, And lips forget to sue or sway. It is '' enough to merely he," With Pipe and Book. What though our modern skies he gray. As hards aver, I will not pray For "soothing Death" to succour me. But ask this much, Fate, of thee, A little longer yet to stay With Pipe and Book. "We pass quickly the shelves containing the books printed the past quarter of a century. These possess no especial interest for us. A real book-lover rarely is found in the modern circulating library. Should he by chance be in one, he is bored until he makes his escape. But show him a shelf or a case filled with vol- umes in ancient calf or vellum. At once he is all attention. A light shines in his face. Rev- erently he approaches that treasury of books; tenderly and lovingly he takes out volume after volume and eagerly examines each title-page and colophon. Visions are his, glimpses of AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE 13 other days and other places. His soul is thrilled. He pictures the times in which these precious jewels were being produced. He feels himself kin to author and printer. He pictures the hopes and the fears of all those concerned in the making of these old volumes. Yea, ver- ily, in every old volume there is a spirit hidden. A recent writer has contrasted the pursuit of old books with that of old plate or old furniture, rendering judgment in favor of the book-col- lector. The collector of books knows his finds are genuine. The collector of old china and old furniture does not always have this certainty, for it is possible to make duplicates of these, but of the old books, no, not ever. The lover of old books has indeed a friendly feeling for that fine brother collector, Du Fres- noy, who spent the eighty-two years of his life among old books, only to have a new book end his life. Nodding over its dullness, he fell into the fire and was burned to death ! We love in tired moments the books that will refresh us. Longfellow wished to have read to him: Some simple and heartfelt lay, That shall soothe this restless feeling, And banish the thoughts of day. Not from the grand old masters, 14 AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE Not from the hards sublime, Whose distant footsteps echo Through the corridors of Time. For like strains of martial music, Their nightly thoughts suggest Life's endless toil and endeavor; And to-night I long for rest. Lelia : Have you a book on your shelves that you love above all the others ! L. A. B. : That is like asking a father which of his sons he loves the best. He has his favor- ite, but it isn't quite the thing to press him for an answer that later may cause him not only embarrassment but also humiliation. All the books you see here are my friends. Most of them have been tried and never found wanting. But there are no two bests of men or things. It is not possible that there should be. I of course have not only my favorites but a favorite of those favorites, a volume I love above all the others. Note this book I hold in my hand, with its saffron-colored silk binding, sides and back em- bellished in gold, all its edges gilded. It is en- titled Wit and Humour, Selected from the Eng- lish Poets; with an Illustrative Essay, and Crit- ical Comments, by Leigh Hunt. London : Smith, Elder and Company, 65, Comhill. Mdcccxlvi." AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE 15 That's the full reading of the title page. As a first edition, and in such immaculate condition as you behold it, the volume is worth about $5.00. It is not by any means an uncommon item. Most catalogues of old books list it. But there is only one copy, and there never can be more than one, just like this particular copy, for on the half-title it bears this inscrip- tion in the beautiful hand-writing of the author : To M^' Shelletj (I mean "Mary^') from her affectionate friend, L. H. When I came across this precious volume un- expectedly while glancing casually over a lot of books Walter M. Hill of Chicago had just re- ceived from London, I felt a thrill in my heart akin to that which agitated me when I discov- ered that I needed the life companionship of Mrs. B. Every fibre of my body was agitated. I was not certain of myself. I became almost tearfully mellow. The glow of a great find was mine. I wanted to give the book a kiss, such as Charles Lamb gave to a copy of Chapman's Homer when he first had the privilege of fond- ling that splendid volume. In a moment or two I felt impelled to shout and dance. Never again can I be so happy as at that moment. Such 16 AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE exaltation of spirits rarely, if ever, repeat. Then once more I became calm, inwardly and outwardly, for a great fear came. Walter Hill himself is a bibliophile as well as a bibliotaph. His own private library is rich in just such choice items. Like myself, he too has a fond- ness for Hunt. And here was an item having both a Hunt and a Shelley interest. Suppose he should say, ''Luther, that book I bought for my own collection." Then I recalled, also, that Walter was aiding other Hunt lovers to build up their collections. Suppose this particular item was imported by him ''on order." A big sinking of the heart followed as these dire forebodings became acute. I began to think that I might have been happier had not chance led me to pick up the book. Ignorance here might indeed have been bliss. Perhaps I was a fool to dare to tread where only angels should walk. In much meekness of spirit I managed to say, "Walter, did you not know in advance that I would call on you today?" (I had sent him a letter to that effect.) "Yes," he replied, "why do you ask r ' " Then why did you place such a temptation in my way." With a grieved countenance I handed him this Hunt book. "By golly. Brewer," — this is AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE 17 Walter's favorite and strongest cuss word so far as I know — ''I might have known you would jDounce upon that item as soon as you landed in this room. I should have hidden that volume from your greedy eyes. I intend that for my own collection." Slowly but sadly I answered, *'A11 right, but you are cruel. I do not blame you, however. My felicitations are yours. ' ' There were tears in my eyes and lost hopes in my heart. The hour was a sad and weary one, as so many hours are in one 's life. There were only ashes where there might have been glowing embers. Noting my rueful countenance, Walter relent- ed, saying, ''Oh, pshaw, Luther, you have a better right to that item than any other of my friends, for your collection of Leigh Hunt is such a comprehensive one and has so many im- portant presentation copies that this volume under discussion will find more worthy com- panions in your library than in the library of any other collector I know. Take it with you. ' ' That, my friends, is the brief story of my acquisition of this treasure. You will note that I have attached a slip to the volume. It bears the request to Mrs. B. that if the Grim Reaper gathers me before he visits Walter Hill, the book is to be returned to him with my compli- 18 AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE ments, and that no remuneration of any kind whatsoever shall be asked or received of this prince of a book-man. I want it under the cir- cumstances to be in the possession of a man who will lavish on it the same affection I am giv- ing it. Rachel: You must have given Mr. Hill a pretty penny for it. L. A. B. : That is a suggestion that is a near cousin to the one about kissing but never telling. By the way, Mrs. B. is the best sport in the world along this line. She never propounds to me such a foolish question, and I love her the better for it. There is not at any time any fam- ily jarring over my book expenditures. The matter is never alluded to or discussed. She seems to sense the fact that my life is made the richer by my love of these ** inconsequential trifles," and apparently derives some joy from knowing that I am happy in my love for these bookish things. Amy : Why do you set so much store on this particular presentation copy? You have other similar items in your Hunt collection. Why do you prize this volume more than you prize any of the others? L.A.B.: Because of that second line in Hunt's inscription, ''I mean 'Mary'." To get AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE 19 the full meaning of this you must recall the friendly feeling that existed between the Hunts and the Shelleys. They were ever asking each other for favors and always giving them. After the Shelleys made their home in Italy it was not unusual for Mary, that is Mrs. Shelley, to ask Hunt in London to perform some friendly ser- vice for her. Their correspondence was of the most intimate and friendly character. Writing to Hunt from Calais, March 13, 1818, Mary signs herself ''your affectionate friend." A few days later, from Lyons, she writes "I con- fess that the thought of how long we may be divided makes me very melancholy." Hunt looked after the details of the burial of Shelley, wrote the inscription for his tombstone, de- lighted in speaking of him as "friend of friends. ' ' Shelley published in Italy, in 1819, The Cenci, dedicated to Hunt. Indicative of his regard for Hunt let me read from the first edition of that book, here on the table, these fervid words in the dedicatory epistle : Had I known a person more highly endowed than yourself with all that it becomes a man to possess, I had solicited for this work the orna- ment of his name. One more gentle, honour- able, innocent and brave; one of more exalted 20 AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE toleration for all who do a/tid think evil, and yet himself more free from evil; one who knoivs better how to receive, and how to confer a ben- efit though he must ever confer far more than he can receive; one of simpler, and, in the high- est sense of the word, of purer life and manners I never knew; and I had already been fortunate in friendships ivhen your name was added to the list. Could any one pay another a finer tribute ? Hunt, like all whose lives are worth while, was fond of doing things for his friends. He makes frequent mention of his regret that he is not able at the time to give inscribed copies of his books to his correspondents. In sending a friend a volume of Montaigne he makes men- tion of the fact that he had marked it ' * so that I shall be in a manner in your company if you read any of it." There are several volumes in this collection bearing annotations by Hunt, so we, too, may tonight if we choose be in his com- pany. Bess : Have you any presentation or marked copies other than the one given Mrs. Shelley ? L. A. B.: Look through these volumes here. I consider this collection somewhat rich in them. For example, in this handsome morocco case is an unpretentious looking little book, in the orig- inal brown boards, that stands second only in AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE 21 my affections to the Shelley presentation copy. It is a first edition of Hunt's The Descent of Liberty, a Mash, dated 1815. On the half-title you find the words in the author's handwriting, '*To Lord Byron, with the author's best remem- brances. " I 'm ready to confess that at one time I looked upon this volume as the crown of the collection. But the Shelley copy has pushed this one from its former commanding position. Laura : What about the sentiment expressed in this inscription ? Was Hunt honest when he wrote *^with the author's best remembrances?" L. A. B. : Decidedly so. He dedicated The Story of Rimini, one of his best poems, to By- ron in 1816, addressing him ''under that still nobler" title of friend, and signing himself "affectionately yours." Again, in 1818, in his Foliage, he speaks of ''mj^ noble friend, Lord Byron, who waits as little for his own genius to be admired, before he admires that of others. ' ' In this same volume, which has a sub-title Poems Original and Translated, Hunt has a poem to Lord Byron of nearly nine pages, written upon Byron's departure for Italy and Greece, in which he wishes him "fair winds and skies, and a swift ship." Playfully he warns him while in Italy to "take care ... of lovely girls, that step across the sight, like 22 AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE Houris in a heaven of warmth and light, with rosy-cushioned mouths, in dimples set, and ripe dark tresses, and glib eyes of jet." And, by the way, it might have been just as well had Byron heeded this pleasantry, not only in Italy but elsewhere. But that is not apropos here. Among the closing lines of the tribute are these : And so adieu, dear Byron — dear to me For many a cause, disinterestedly : — First, for unconscious sympathy, ivhen hoys, In friendship, and the muse's trying joys: — Next for that frank surprise, when Moore and you Came to my cage, like warblers hind and true, And told me, ivith your arts of cordial lying, How well I looked, when you both thought me dying. The reference here is to visits made by Byron and Tom Moore to Hunt while he was in prison because of having published a libel, so-called, on one of the royal family. Bertha: But is not this one of the literary friendships that did not endure to the end? L.A. B.: Every lover of Hunt is ready to admit that later on he treated Byron rather shabbily. This is a long story, and it is not AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE 23 profitable to go into the details this evening. Perhaps, should the relations between Byron and Hunt be a matter of interest to the friends sitting around this table, we may at a future date discuss them. A. T. : I wish this might be arranged. Mert : If there 's any scandal afoot I 'm sure all of us, especially the ladies, will be delight- ed to learn of it. Dan : So say we all of us. I. B. S. : Can't we have a little of it tonight? Variety is spice, you know. Tom : Tell us the story in brief. Esther: Yes, do, to satisfy Tom's curiosity. Walter: Let's have it. L.A. B. : We'll omit the scandal, and say briefly that in 1821 the Hunts were living in London. Mrs. Hunt was ill and her physician advised that a sunnier clime than that of Eng- land would be of benefit to her. Shelley, in a letter dated August 26, 1821, from Pisa, wrote Hunt that Byron proposed that he ** should come out and go shares with him and me, in a periodical work, to be conducted here ; in which each of the contracting parties should publish all their original compositions and share the profit. ' ' Byron previously had proposed something of 24 AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE this nature to Moore Avho declined to be inter- ested. Shelley further stated that he could not be induced to share the profits, which, he said, ought to "be very great." Hunt decided to go to Italy, but in referring to Shelley's promise of money for the expense of the trip stated "I cannot do without your kindness in this re- spect. ' ' The money was furnished by Byron on Shelley's security, and the Hunt family, con- sisting of Hunt, his wife, and six children, arrived in Italy in the midsummer of 1822. Shelley located the Hunts in Byron's home in Pisa and then went to Lerici to bring Mrs. Shel- ley over for a visit. The drowning of Shelley occurred on July 8, and Hunt lost the best friend he ever had. Nevertheless the periodical, The Liberal, was launched, ceasing publication after four numbers, and without making the profits anticipated by Shelley. AVhile living in Byron's house there was friction between Mrs. Hunt and Byron, and the Hunt children doubt- less were a nuisance to Byron. Moreover, the Hunts did not approve of Byron's conduct in living with Countess Guiccioli. Then Byron be- came a little chary in extending further finan- cial aid to the improvident Hunt. Moreover Hunt himself was ill, things were not going well AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE 25 with him, and he had a sick wife and a large family depending upon him for maintenance. Smarting under the recollection of all these things, and, so some say, to secure money from the sale of the publication, in 1828 he published Lord Byron and Some of his Contemporaries, four years after Byron had lost his life in Greece while working for Grecian independence. In the Preface to the work Hunt states; *'It was the death of my friend Shelley, and my own want of resources, that made me add this bitter discovery to the sum of my experiences. The first time Lord Byron found I was in want, was the first time he treated me with disrespect." Henry: But Hunt repented later of his in- judicious words, did he not? L. A. B. : Yes, in a letter to Tom Moore, June 8, 1841, he expresses '* regret at my former re- marks on him, not because they were not true, for they were, critical errors excepted, but be- cause a better knowledge of myself has taught me that no one frail human being has a right to sit in that manner in judgment on another. ' ' Lovers of Hunt have always regretted this slip in his life. But he was human and sensi- tive, and possibly under similar circumstances our action might not have been different. 26 AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE E. P. B. : Let us hear about Keats 's Lamia, found on the body of Shelley after he was drowned. L. A. B. : Keats 's last volume, * ' Lamia, ' ' etc., was loaned Shelley by Hunt, who told him to keep it until he could return it with his own hands. When they were preparing Shelley's body to be burned this precious volume was found on his person, some of the pages turned back. Evi- dently the poet had been reading this last work of Keats and had hastily thrust it into his pocket. Hunt ordered it to be consumed by the fire that cremated the body of Shelley. He re- fused to receive it from any other hand than that of Shelley. It is indeed difficult for a book- lover to forgive Hunt for this act. Today the volume would be priceless. Helen: I note here several letters written by Hunt. Tell us about some of them. L.A. B. : That I will gladly. Here are two that are of especial interest. In fact they rank in human interest with the veiy first of the letters of any literary personage. With due modesty let me say that these are letters the possession of which at this time would bring joy to the heart of any lover of books. Again I am under obligations to Walter Hill for the AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE 27 opportunity of possession. They are letters for a book-lover to gloat over. Their story? Perhaps they themselves tell it. Let us see : Genoa, 2'^ January 1823 Dear Severn, I had a letter from M*" Broivn the other day, in which he told me that you were then prepar- ing to perform the last melancholy offices for our friend. Good God! that I shoidd be aivay at such a time. But I am tied & fast hound by a thousand defying reasons. The remains shoidd never have gone without me, — as you may ivell suppose, — if I coidd have helped it. Between you & me they should never have gone at all, unless they could have been so accom- panied: but it was ivished otherwise, and — Will you be kind enough, the first leisure you have to write to me? You need not take up your time with a long letter. I have set you the ex- ample of a short one. Pray tell us where the remains have been placed, — ivhether, according to M*"* Shelley's request, near their infant. ilf* Shelley begs as a favor, that you ivould take the trouble to order a plain marble to be put over them, with a name d date, merely to mark the spot, till another can take its place. You ivill of course let us knoiv directly ivhat the ex- pense is. I have sent you an inscription for the present over-leaf, in case you might feel at all perplexed. 28 AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE I Jiope my last letter directed to No. 43 was not kept from you long. Yours sincerely, Leigh Hunt. *' Over-leaf" are the words thus arranged: Percy Byshe Shelley Cor Cordum Nat. Aug. 4. 1792 Oh. Jul. 8. 1822. The address on the letter is Al Signore II Signor Guiseppe Severn, Gentilhome Inglese, No. 18, via S. Isidore, Roma Here is a letter written a month later that fits in nicely with the one we have just read : Genoa, Feb. 3, 1823. My Dear Severn, Many, many thanks for your kindness, which I am sure must have been as painful to yourself, as it was attentive to those whom you have grat- ified. M*"* Shelley begs me to say how grateful she is, on her part. — / am at present resting from over-ivork ivith a head that can hardly hold itself up, but in the course of a few days I intend to send a letter of thanks to each of the gentlemen who were kind enough to attend, at which time also I shall send off another to your- AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE 29 self, longer than this. How delighted I shall he to see you on the occasion you mention, or long before, if possible; — a pleasure I may the more hope for, as we move to Florence before next ivinter. Why couldn't you settle there at the same time, — for a while at least, — d let us paint-ise, & poet-ize, & music-ize to our heart's content, — if alas, our hearts can ever again be contented! — But 1 will talk to you about fifty things in my next. I expect Liberals every day by a vessel, having none here. Of course, I al- ivays intended copies of them for you. Think of Florence, pray: I shall ring it in your ears whenever I write. I was not sorry on one account, to find from a letter of M*" Freeborn's which M""^ S. received yesterday, that in the hurry of some former communication she had given him directions to have the inscription on the box repeated on the tombstone: for I saw that you would of neces- sity waive the one I sent you, so that it would at least be delayed. — and there was a mistake in the Latin of it: — instead of Cor Cordum, it shoidd be Cor Cordium. I do not know whether you include a knowledge of Latin in the list of your accomplishments, — if accomplishment it is to be called, which any dull fellow can achieve: but having been a reader of Latin my- self for many years, & well thumped into it at school, I feel enough interest in my scholarly reputation to be glad that such a blunder of mine has not been exhibited in broad daylight, especially in record of one who was as excellent 30 AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE a scholar as he was excellent in every thing else. I must say also that the word Heart occurs, as you may guess, numberless times in all sorts of writers, hut I do not recollect ever meeting, even in the poets (who are my only Latin ac- quaintances) with the genitive case plural — of Hearts — Cordium — (0 from the nature of the nominative I concluded the case might end otherwise. After all my search for the word, I found it in an index to a dictionary. ilf * S. writes by this post to M^ Freeborn to say that she prefers having this inscription to the one on the box, — which in fact tvas only a bare historical record, merely fit to he put under ground like that of a coin. The other conveys a sentiment, d may reasonably supply the place of a better or more complete one (including the talents of dear S., as well as his noble heart) till a more worthy monument he set up. I hope to be in Rome next ivinter to see about the latter. — God bless you, dear Severn, till my next, — and ever, ever, with all the good things worthy of your talents & affections. Your obliged & sincere friend, Leigh Hunt. This letter bears the inscription: Al Signore U Signor Joseph Severn, Pittore Inglese, No. 18, via di San Isidoro (2*^^ Piano) Roma AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE 31 Here is another letter of which I am very fond, as one who himself loves books. I will read tonight only a paragraph of it. The letter was Avritten to a ^Irs. Hall who had sent Hunt a package of books : The book you mention I am well acquainted with. I tvish all the others may turn out to he half as full of matter. The labour you speak of will then come to little; for I am a perfect '^ glutton of books," novels included, and make nothing of washing doivn half a volume at breakfast. Perfect "glutton of books" is delicious. Reading this, can we be criticized for our love of Hunt? May: I note you have among your Hunt books a copy of Howitt's Book of the Seasons. Is it a stray sheep ? L. A. B. : By no means. It is here for senti- mental reasons, an association copy I prize highly. It was given Hunt by his patient and long suffering wife, as the inscription on the blank leaf in her autograph will testify : To Leigh Hunt from his affectionate ivife M. A. Hunt This volume is a human interest document akin to the one given by her husband to Mrs. 32 AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE Shelley. Ill in health a great part of her mar- ried life, compelled by Hunt's impecuniosity to put up with many deprivations, there never was a time when she did not worship her lord, believe in him, encourage him, speak words of com- mendation of his ability. She was indeed his affectionate wife, sharing mth him his impris- onment, patiently bearing her numerous hard- ships and never complaining. Adah: You seem to possess several copies of Hunt's Poetical Works, 1832. Are you attempt- ing to comer all that are in existence ? L. A. B. : Not quite. Only those that are un- like any other copy. I believe I have five vari- eties here. This one has been re-bound, and for that reason would not possess the value of this other copy in the original binding were it not that it is a presentation copy from the author ''to Aristide Guilbert mth Leigh Hunt's re- spects and regards. ' ' GuUbert was an actor of some reputation with whom Hunt had formed a friendship while he was writing criticisms of the stage for some of the newspapers. This other copy in a special morocco case has won its handsome home because it contains a slip to the effect that it was issued before the list of sub- scribers was ready for insertion. It is the only copy known to me that contains the slip. Col- AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE 33 lectors of Hunt, I believe, are not aware, as a rule, that such a slip is in existence. The list of subscribers was never inserted in any of the volumes of this edition. The bibliographical importance of this point vnW be appreciated by collectors who aim at completeness. Bob : You have two or more copies of Hunt's Beaumont and Fletcher, 1855. Why! L. A. B. : Because they too are unlike. Value attaches to this copy I hold in my hands for the reason that it is a presentation copy, given to one "Isaac Latimer, with Leigh Hunt's kind regards." It is further enriched by containing, laid in loosely, the letter of transmissal in which Hunt thanks him ''for the information which you were so good as to give me respecting your- self and your kindly value for my writings." The marvel is that these two items should have remained together for more than a half century. Robert : Tell us, please, why you treasure his Bacchus in Tuscany in this morocco slip case. L.A. B. : For the reason that it bears throughout the text many corrections in Hunt's autograph. These corrections are principally in the spelling of Italian names, though there are many others in ordinary words, such as ** crying," which Hunt has corrected by writing in the margin "Spring." I have a theory re- 34 AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE garding the necessity for the corrections. The manuscript was sent from Florence to his brother John in London, with this dedication: My Dear John, I cannot send you, as I could wish, a pipe of Tuscan wine, or a hamper of Tuscan simshine, which is much the same thing; so in default of being able to do this, I do what I can, and send you, for a new year's present, a translation of a Tuscan bacchanal. The manuscript was put in type and the proof read by others than the author, and it is not to be wondered at that they were not able to do a good job of it. It is not always easy to decipher Hunt's handwriting. Especially difficult must it have been in the case of unfamiliar Italian names and terms. I believe my theory is a plausible one. In no other way can I explain the presence of so many corrections on the part of an author after his work is published. Harry : You seem to have a fondness for two or more copies of the same publication. Here are duplicate copies, as I see it, of Shelley's Masque of Anarchy. Inasmuch as Hunt edited this publication, and wrote for it a lengthy in- troduction, I grant that it has a place in a Hunt AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE 35 collection, but why aren't you content with one copy, especially in such superb bindings as clothe these two books? Are you attempting to secure all the copies in existence! L. A. B. : No. This copy in polished calf, un- cut, by Zaehnsdorf , is a desirable first edition of Shellej^ with a Hunt interest. But this taller and thinner copy, so handsomely bound in crushed olive morocco gilt, by De Coverly, in dollars and cents is worth ten times the other one, and has more of a Hunt interest than a Shelley interest. It is the page proofs of the Masque, and contains the final corrections by Hunt, made just before the volume was printed. There is one more page in the book as issued than in this proof copy, due to the lengthy note Hunt added one page 41, which, when printed, crowded one stanza over to the next page. This proof copy, by the way, evidences that Hunt was a more pains-taking author than he is credited mth having been by some of his critics. Note the number of alterations he has made in his introduction. There are changes in every stanza, and one has been completely elim- inated. I have other evidence of Hunt's careful com- position in this mass of his manuscript that recently has come into my possession. Please 36 AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE note this superb red morocco binding by Tout* It properly protects the original manuscript of his "Book of Beginnings," published in the lliird number of The Liberal, a quarterly jour- nal founded by himself, Shelley, and Byron, in a vain attempt to help Hunt's finances. **It is a most interesting example, ' ' says Buxton For- man, **of Hunt's way of working, and varies much from the poem as published." In every stanza there are changes, whole lines being erased and new ones written. Hunt seems to have given much patient thought to his work before printing. Annette: You have been gracious in answer- ing our questions tonight. Will you not now be a volunteer in our entertainment, and tell us of other Hunt rarities you may have? L. A. B. : That might unduly prolong the sit- ting of this round table. However, here are one or t"wo things that may be of interest to you. This is a first edition of Shelley's Cenci. It finds a congenial home with the Hunt family because the author dedicated it to Hunt, calling him his ''dear" and his ''affectionate" friend. An added interest is given this volume in that it has laid in loosely a letter from Shelley to the publishers, the Messrs. Oilier, in the care of Thomas Love Peacock, in which he asks, "have AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE 37 you received an Mss. seiit from Naples?" This manuscript was that of the book itself. Then here is a one-sheet broadside that de- serves the fine morocco binding given it by Riviere. It is a letter soliciting subscriptions for the erection in Kensal Green cemetery, where Hunt was buried, of a monument to his memoiy. Among the signers are Thomas Car- lyle, Charles Dickens, W. C. Macready, and B. W. Procter. The corrections in the jjroof were made by Robert Bro^\^ling, who was the chairman of the committee having the matter in charge. Bound with the broadside is a state- ment of the condition of the fund, all in the handwriting of Browning. This document, too, has a two-fold interest — one that appeals to a Browning lover and one that appeals to a Hunt collector. Mrs. Smith : Have you any unpublished man- uscripts of Hunt 1 L. A. B.: I believe I have. My acquisitions of his manuscripts have been made only recent- ly and the leisure to examine and compare has not yet been mine. Here is a brief one that came from a reliable dealer in London who states that *'it is believed it has never been pub- lished." As it is apropos to this round table discussion, permit me to read it : 38 AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE PLEASANT THOUGHTS FOR PLEASANT PEOPLE Good heavens, reader, what a pleasant title is this, and how agreeable on both sides! Hoiv amiable you must think it on my part, and hoiv extremely so I thiyik are you, to be of that opin- ion! I cannot but ivarm myself at the fire of thy benevolence, to reflect hoiv happy ive shall be together. As a reader in general, you have an hereditary claim to the titles of Benevolent, Candid, and Discerning ; but as the readers of these papers in particular, I cannot but think you deserve them in your oivn person; and that there is nobody so benevolent, so candid, and so discerning, except the innumerable multitude who shall read me likeivise. All this you deserve to have said of you, if a male. But if a female! — It seems to me that authors can never be grate ftd enough to benevo- lent female readers. I knoiv not hoiv others manage it; but it is amazing what I feel, when I meet ivith a charming female reader, ivho turns me over ivith a relish. They are the people for acknoivledging one's merits! To have it said to one, ''Hotv interesting a book you have given us!'' To be told, that ive tvere touching at page 45; that the tears came into her eyes at chapter the second; or (if a romp) that she was so delighted, she could have thrown the book at us; or to fancy all this, — for the truth is, that such panegyrics are oftener ob- AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE 39 tained in fancy than in fact; or as the climax of all, to think of those beautiful natures, most liable to, but luckily also most capable of, con- solation tvhom an author may help to guard against the ill consequences of disappointment, and to confirm in their hopes of human kind — restoring something of the morning of their sen- sations, or making theyn feel that their own hopes and endeavors are a means of securing that good to the tvorld in future, ivhich they have missed at present, not ivithout that earnest of its reivard and that beam of its distant rising on their face, — to be able to do anything of this to any such natures, tvhether male or female (for spirits, inasmuch as they approach the angelical, are of no sex; and nobleness mascu- line may be as sweet, as feminine sweetness may be noble) — these are reflections, the very as- piration of which is a reward to itself and does a substantial good to others, however small may be the powers of the individual in any other re- spect. For belief is creation; just as the visible creation is but the strongest of our beliefs. "I am sure of the existence of the sun,'' says the materialist, "for I feel the light of it in my eyes:" "And I am sure," cries the [spiritual- ist]," of the existence of the sentiment thai makes the sun. But the gravity into ivhich considerations of this kind are apt to run, is here very seasonably interrupted by some reader of a cynical turn, ivho thinks fit to inform me that he is riot one of 40 AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE your pleasant people; and that he has a great notion that the gentry so-called are not always so pleasant as they suppose themselves. **Nor the unpleasant, I presume, so very de- serving of that title?'" Here my interrupter gives me ivhat an Irish- man might call a look atvay from me, half sour- ness and half smile. The truth is, I am not sure I shall leave him out of my list, if he he- haves himself; and to that end, I recommend him, first to have his dinner, and next, not to think worse, or better, of himself, than there is any occasion. I dare say he is pleasant enough ■when he is not angry ivith those whom he thinks more pleasant. If he is disagreeable to those about him, even ivhen his sensations are at their pleasantest, he is not aware perhaps that he has as great a craving after their sympathy as if he were their flatterer, and takes but as ill means of showing it: that is to say, an impres- sion upon them somehoiv is necessary to his enjoyment, only he stamps an ill one instead of a good; the seal of a devil instead of a [god]. We can no more leave them out than the great- est cultivator of toad-eaters ; no, not even if he should turn hermit and misanthrope, for then he ivould be alivays thinking of the ivorld, in order to persuade himself that he despised it. Now such a man ought to knoiv himself, and turn pleasant. Perhaps he ivill, if encouraged, and provided he is not a fool; for nothing is so impracticable as folly. Luckily, by its very nature, nothing is more excusable. Let this be AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE 41 among not the least pleasant, or consolatory, of our thoughts, when fools are plaguing us. On the other hand, if our cynical, or ivould-he cynical friend, who thus interrupts us and is unpleasant because he thinks others more so in their very pleasantness, — I mean if he is one of those ivho are angry with people for wearing smiles on their faces, or in their books, when there is so much evil in the world, and perhaps infirmity in their own natures, he ought to mend his philosophy for tivo reasons: first, because it is a very impolitic thing to make love to wis- dom, or to any other lady, with a sour face; and, second, because if he is anxious for the happi- ness of manMnd out of a zeal for their wel- fare and not from an irritable craving after complaint and dissatisfaction, he ought to do his best to exhibit ivhat he can of it in his oivn person by ivay of example and encouragement. But at all events, if such a person he is, leave him out of our list tve cannot; for his heart is pleasant to us, should his face be otherwise; and tve think, when he co^nes to know how sincere a company tve are, and that our anxieties for human good (and perhaps tnany others of our anxieties) are as great as his, though tve reap an invincible pleasure from the beauties of earth and sky, and by a chance of our constitu- tion are as susceptible of joy as sorrow, it tvill be hard if there are not moments when he tvill relax over the wine of our thoughts, and say, "I also am among the pleasant." Nor let that title be grudged us, considering 42 AROUND THE LIBRARY TABLE with whom we are ambitious of sharing it, and what we have in view with it for all. Now, our friends, while the reading lamp con- tinues to bless us with its light, the fire in the hearth burns low, and soon there will be only ashes. So with the year, and so also with our gatherings in this pleasant manner. In the nature of things, we may not be permitted many occasions like this in the years ahead, but what- ever may be the uncertainties of the future, it is pleasant to know that the past cannot be taken away. These gatherings around the lamp and by the fire, these messages of friends to friends at this ever hallowed time, are ours. May the memories of them ever be kindly, for, para- phrasing : We ivill not pass this ivay again, But far beyond earth's where and when May we look back upon a road Where on both sides good seed we sowed. We will not pass this way again. May wisdom guide our tongue and pen. A love be ours that so we may Plant roses all along the way. We will not pass this ivay again. May we be courteous to men, Faithful to friends, true to our God, A fragrance on the paths we trod. FACSIMILES OF HUNT LETTERS "W "i '>y/-U if < ^^ ^ y^',^ f^ ^/'^ 3;r>.^ ^-.^\ ■l^^fx.. .A u^,^ ^l^ ^^^ ^,^ ^^^ ^_^,._ ^^^_ ^ ^^ ^^ I u ., / , /^ ■ ^ ;' c A. ^^ -^ i,;r ^-^.."^ ?, ,^^. x^ ,4.,^ ,^ ^^^ ■^- \ u/fc. , /! Jllf^t^ C^aXi^ 7;.Ug^ ''6-i;i,3. %rj,; /^., , , ■ ^», L^ h^ 1^ ^ 4^ / . ' ; , OC v./.,./4 J^^^ Jy. 4- //fZ. ^/. /^ ^ /j'2-2. :■/-' '' ' J yi(Jc /t^) d **.,f^ -^ifu^i^, 4^^ '^^ ^'. "^'^ \ jiifcW^" l^k^. ^^ CvLliU-in-. Je^l^ '^^ '^-Vliry/Siiut ^^, .. Art-- - *<-^ 'I fr^: J ^it4 7 ^ ^^it^ ^/V^ '^■(V A ^rr it, . / S/^., ii^ /to^j^ u-^^ ^ ^^-^ -^/^ -^^ ^'^'^^ ^' y "