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This eminent writer was but little known

WHO has not heard of Douglas Jerrold? | He has got the true trick of the old craft; Who has not seen the touching drama of he is every inch a classic. the "Rent Day," that noble interpretation of Wilkie's picture? And who has not to his countrymen before the year 1832, laughed a hundred times over those most when the domestic drama of the "Rent admirable letters, which he wrote under the Day" came out, and took the whole city pleasant name of Punch, dealing out to all by storm. He had already produced his England, in the person of his son, the "Black-eyed Susan," a beautiful piece; soundest admonitions, with all the jocund but the thousands of honest gazers who saw hilarity of Falstaff? What depth of ob- it performed at a minor, and most fervently servation there is lurking beneath those fa- applauded it, never thought of the author; cetious remarks! What keen sagacity and they were satisfied with being pleased. So wisdom in that quiet irony! What point slowly does a man even of the first class in that humor! Alack! how does he con- make his way to public favor. Nay, even trive it? In this age of excitement, tur- the " Rent Day," plainly stamped as it moil, and confusion, when other people was with the lineaments of a forcible mind, hedge, jostle, knock against each other, and nobly and justly directed, did not afford its every man tears his way along this bustling author that extensive reputation which he world as best he can, without snatching a deserved. Certainly it gave Jerrold the moment of leisure to husband his remarks, esteem of the thinking and inquiring, and if he make any, his mind at least has been won golden opinions from those of his proable to settle his thoughts down upon the fession; but his name did not yet become manners and spirit of the age, and to seize a household word at the family hearths of them with the perceptions of a true master. his countrymen. His character was growMoreover, he is a living proof that the old ing; but large reputations are slow in comgenius of the land, though torpid, is not ing to maturity, nor was it his fortune to extinct, for he writes with the Saxon pith of acquire his present universal fame, till he yore, and with Saxon simplicity; in an age and other fine spirits had founded the imwhen many a writer of note does not even mortal Punch, that admirable galaxy of read the old authors, he emulates them; mirth without malice, full of cracks and he steps into the footprints of their muses. jokes, that burn like everlasting candles in VOL. XI. No. IV.

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