Leigh Hunt's Relations with Byron, Shelley and Keats

s books to get something to eat. The pain of giving up his beloved Parnaso Italiano was like that of a violinist parting with his instrument. He lived in continual fear of arrest for debt. At the same time, family troubles and ill-health combined to torment him.

In 1844 Sir Percy Shelley gave him an annuity of L120, and in 1847, the same year of the benefit performance of Every Man in His Humour, he was granted through the efforts of Lord John Russell, Macaulay and Carlyle, an annual pension of L200 on the Civil List. There were also two separate grants of L200 each from the Royal Bounty, one from William IV, and the other from Queen Victoria. In his last years there is no mention made of want.[9]

Hunt's attitude in respect to money obligations was unique, but well-defined and consistent. It was not, as is often inferred, either puling or unscrupulous.[10] He was absolutely incapable of the Skimpole vices.[11] His dilemmas were not due to indolence. On the contrary, he labored