care of this teacher he earned a few guineas by revising for the press a new edition of Paul and Virginia. While residing with a relative at Dundee, whither he had gone on account of delicate health, he made his first appearance in print, in the Dundee papers. In 1821 he went back to London to engage in his former occupation. In that year an event occurred which turned Hood's thoughts to literature as a profession. Mr. John Scott, editor of the London Magazine, was killed in a duel, and the magazine passed into the hands of Messrs. Taylor and Hessey. Hood was engaged to assist in correcting the press, and in reading the contributions to the magazine. Here, in 1821, appeared his first original poem,-To Hope. In the same year appeared Ode to Dr. Kitchener, The Departure of Summer, and a Sentimental Journey from Islington to Waterloo Bridge. In the succeeding year appeared some of Hood's best comic poems. Next appeared Odes and Addresses to Great People, a perfectly successful work, published conjointly with Reynolds. In 1826 he published the first series of Whims and Oddities, which had an excellent sale. In 1827 followed a second series dedicated to Sir Walter Scott. In the same year Plea of Midsummer Fairies, a poem of much delicate beauty, was not fully appreciated. To-day it is admired. In 1829 Hood edited an annual called the Gem, to which he contributed one of his masterpieces, Eugene Aram. This masterly poem was reprinted in separate form, with beautiful engravings. In 1829, Hood left London and settled in a neat cottage at Winchmore Hill, a place to which the poet became much attached. His series of Comic Annuals, which commenced in 1830, continued to delight the public. Hood's writings became almost the wit and humor of England. In 1832 he moved to Lake House, Wanstead, where he wrote his novel, Tylney Hall. This work, and National Tales, are the only prose works of fiction from his pen. Upon the failure of a firm in 1834, Hood became pecuniarily distressed, but, like Scott, he redoubled his efforts to pay his debts, rather than to become a bankrupt. He started for the continent. Voyage up the Rhine, one of his best books, soon appeared. From 1835, Hood's life was one of suffering, anxiety, and unusually hard work. Having engaged to correspond for the New Monthly Magazine, he wrote Rhymes for the Times, and also the "powerful poem, tragic, and yet humorous, Miss Killmanseg." Passing briefly over the rest of his work, we note The Song of the Shirt, 1844; also The Lay of the Labourer, 1844. Having become delicate in health, and worn with toil and anxiety, the Queen granted him a pension, and continued it to his wife after his death. His health failed rapidly, and on the third day of May, 1845, he died. His remains now lie in Kensal Green, beneath a fine monument, which an appreciative public raised to his memory. His works have been collected into four volumes, Poems of Wit and Humor, Hood's Own, or Laughter from Year to Year, Whims and Oddities in Prose and Verse. Those who read Hood to laugh at folly, are taught to sympathize with want and suffering. Douglass Jerrold tells us that the "various pen " of Hood touched alike the springs of laughter and the sources of tears. The Bridge of Sighs. NE more unfortunate, Rashly importunate, Gone to her death! Take her up tenderly, Lift her with care! Fashioned so slenderly, Young, and so fair! Look at her garments Clinging like cerements, Whilst the wave constantly Drips from her clothing; Loving, not loathing! Touch her not scornfully! Make no deep scrutiny Rash and undutiful; Past all dishonor, Death has left on her Only the beautiful. Still, for all slips of hers, One of Eve's family,- Wipe those poor lips of hers, Oozing so clammily. Loop up her tresses Escaped from the comb,- Where was her home? Who was her father? Who was her mother? Had she a sister? Had she a brother? Or was there a dearer one |