His
lectures, on the English Philosophers, were delivered at the Russell
Institution: his most notable journalistic work, on politics and the
drama, was done for The Morning Chronicle, then edited by Mr. Perry.
From an obituary notice of Hazlitt contributed many years later
(October 1830) to an old magazine I cull the following:
He obtained an introduction, about 1809 or 1810, to the late Mr.
Perry, of The Morning Chronicle, by whom he was engaged to report
Parliamentary debates, write original articles, etc. He also
furnished a number of theatrical articles on the acting of Kean. As
a political writer he was apt to be too violent; though in general
he was not a man of violent temper. He was also apt to conceive
strong and rooted prejudices against individuals on very slight
grounds. But he was a good-hearted man ... Private circumstances, it
is said, contributed to sour his temper and to produce a peculiar
excitement which too frequently held its sway over him. Mr. Hazlitt
and Mr. Perry did not agree. Upon one occasion, to the great
annoyance of some of his colleagues, he preferred his wine with a
few friends to taking his share in reporting an important discussion
in the House of Commons. Added to this, he either did not understand
the art of reporting, or would not take the trouble to master it....
His original articles required to be carefully looked after, to weed
them of strong expressions.
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