tenoy," and in addition is rich in those excellences of thought and style which are rarely, if ever, found in the writings of so young a man. In Germany, "Eustace Conyers," immediately on its translation, met with even a warmer reception than in this country.

Though Mr. Hannay has produced these separate works, his principal literary labours have been in the metropolitan journals, such as "Punch," and "The Athenæum," and in the pages of the "Quarterly" and "Westminster " magazines, and for a long time he has been the chief political writer in one of the best of the weekly papers of London. The numerous sketches which he dashed off for different periodicals during his literary noviciate, and many of which have been collected and re-published, the reader of general literature is well acquainted with.

At the last general election Mr. Hannay solicited the suffrages of the inhabitants of his native town in opposition to Mr. Ewart, who eventually was re-elected M.P. for the Dumfries district of Burghs. Though the result of his candidature was not success, still Mr. Hannay obtained so large a minority of votes, and created so favourable an impression on the entire constituency, by his remarkably graceful and powerful eloquence, and by the courage with which he honestly declared the whole of his political creed, that it is more than probable that we may, ere many years, see him member for the "district." In such a case, the House of Commons would have its present dearth of eloquence relieved by an effective orator, and a lively wit.

WILLIAM HOWITT.

THIS popular author, whose "History of Priestcraft," on its first appearance, produced perhaps a greater impression on religionists than any other work of the kind, written in

the present century, was born in 1795, at Heanor in Derbyshire. Mr. Howitt is, and from his infancy was bred, a Quaker, but the cold formality and austere manners of the school to which he belongs, and in which he was reared, have not chilled the warmth of his generous nature, or placed any fetters on his active intelligence. Gentle as Bernard Barton, but far superior to that poet in vigour and determination of character, he is justly regarded with pride and affection by the Society of Friends as a manly representative of their best qualities. Of all his many works, none are more widely admired than "The Hall and the Hamlet," a novel published in 1847, and "Madame Dorrington of the Dene," published in 1851.

MARY HOWITT.

THE wife of William Howitt is inseparably connected in reputation with the literary career of her husband. Her girlish poems, handed about in manuscript for the amusement of her friends and neighbours, were her first introduction to the poet destined to become her husband, who, it is said, was so delighted with the genius displayed in them, that he did not rest till he formed the acquaintance of their author. Like her husband, Mrs. Howitt was reared and educated by Quakers, and as a girl was forbidden to gratify her longing for imaginative literature; but temptation was too strong for her the commands of her father were disobeyed, and clandestinely she studied all the "light frivolous story books" that the libraries in the neighbourhood contained. It was only to be expected that a child capable of so transgressing the rules of the gentle "Friends," would as a woman yet farther shock their tenderest prejudices. Besides her poems, which are to be found in nearly every well

furnished library, and her numerous productions for children, which—a rare thing in children's books-are very popular with the little people they were intended to interest, Mrs. Howitt is the author of that most agreeable novel, "Wood Leighton." But, excellent as her original compositions are, the most valuable contributions she has made to our standard literature are her faithful and spirited translations of Miss Bremer and Hans Christian Andersen. It is a startling proof of her mental vigour and her perseverance, that she actually acquired the language of each of these charming writers for the express purpose of making them known to the English public.

MRS. HUBBACK.

THIS lady is well-known and highly esteemed as a writer; for her novels are in themselves good, and they have additional interest as coming from the niece of Miss Austin. It is true that Miss Austin's works are as generally neglected as they are universally eulogized, and that, instead of reading them in private and condemning them in public, most people do not peruse them in the closet or anywhere else, and yet make a point of praising them in the drawing-room. Still it is not less the fact that her name and genius, though not popular, are generally approved, and that the consequences of this singular regard have been most beneficial to Mrs. Hubback in literature. Mrs. Hubback has been and promises to be the most prolific creator of novels, for we believe that "The Younger Sister," "The Wife's Sister," "The Rival Suitors," "The Old Vicarage," "May and December," "Malvern," "Life and its Lessons," and "Agnes Milbourne," are not all the fictions which have proceeded from her pen since the commencement of 1850.

LEIGH HUNT.

LEIGH HUNT, the friend and school-fellow of Lamb and Coleridge, and the associate of Byron, was born at Southgate in Middlesex, on the 19th of October, 1784. His father, a clergyman of the Church of England, was a West Indian, and his mother was a Philadelphian. At the time of the American War Mr. Hunt, who was an ardent Royalist, had so imprudently displayed his political zeal that he was compelled to fly for safety to England. The long story of Leigh Hunt's literary struggles-the contemptible persecution he underwent at the hands of government while editor of the "Examiner," his imprisonment for wounding the personal vanity of the poor prince-regent, his ill-starred connection with Lord Byron, and all the other "points" of interest in his career-must be looked for in the pages of his "Autobiography;" for we only make cursory mention of the venerable and classic poet to thank him for his delightful contribution to our standard novels in the tale of "Sir Ralph Esher."

Mr. Leigh Hunt has for some years enjoyed a pension. from the Civil List of £200.

GEORGE PAYNE RAINSFORD JAMES.

THIS gentleman was born at the opening of the present century, and is therefore to be ranked amongst the veterans of the present generation of novelists. So morbidly pro-lific has been the pen of this eminent and very ready writer, that the bare enumeration of his works would occupy more space than we can spare. Born in London, and educated in opulent circumstances, he did not turn to the

profession of literature in the first instance as a means of livelihood, but as a field for amusement. His first work of magnitude, “ Richelieu," was published in 1828, and met with great success.

It is not necessary here to state that Mr. James is a writer far above the common herd, that his works display an unusual knowledge of human nature, and an intimate acquaintance with certain passages of history, and that in some instances they are remarkable for dramatic power and ingenuity of plot. But unfortunately Mr. James has been so afflicted with the cacoethes scribendi that he has not given so much time to study and reflection as to the work of mere composition. With mental endowments far above the ordinary standard, he might have ranked high amongst pleasant and instructive writers; but as it is, the praise that is his due is not generally allowed him, and he is usually spoken of only as a remarkably productive and equally tedious author. Love of writing may degenerate into a habit of scribbling, just as a natural gift of oratory may sink into a habit of prating.

A few years since Mr. James was appointed British Consul for the State of Massachusetts; and there, in Berkshire county, he still resides with his family, performing the duties of his office.

W. BLANCHARD JERROLD.

THE mention of this gentleman brings to our minds the names of two men of remarkable genius, whose memory is cherished with affection and admiration by all who have any acquaintance with English literature. The names of Blanchard and Jerrold suggest the most pleasant thoughts of subtle humour and poignant wit; and in the person of the