and sentiment, pervade every page; the vices and man of letters, but as such not very remarkably follies of the day are touched with the most play-distinguished; and it was frequently observed, ful and diverting satire; and English character- that though his publications were much read, they istics, in endless variety, are hit off with the pen- were not greatly talked of. With the characteriscil of a master. They have ever maintained their tic irritability of genius, conscious of its powers currency and reputation, and are ranked among and jealous of its reward, Goldsmith used to fret the classical productions of the British muse. under the pangs of neglected merit, and to repine

Nearly about the same time, or early in 1764, a at the slow progress of public opinion. selection of all his fugitive pieces, originally con- No votary of the muses was ever more emulous tributed to various magazines, were collected and of fame; and, with his accustomed simplicity, he published for his own benefit, in one volume, un- was careless of concealing his impatience to obder the title of "Essays." These, in their general tain it. Various anecdotes of his fretful anxiety scope and tendency bear some analogy to the letters for applause have been recorded in different pubof the Chinese Philosopher. The manner is still lications, but the most authentic is one of rather a happier than the matter, though that too is excel- ludicrous description, noticed by Mr. Boswell. lent; and our author appears to have been prompt- Conversing with Dr. Johnson one day on the difed to their republication, in consequence of the libe- ficulty of acquiring literary celebrity, "Ah," said ral use that was surreptitiously made of them by he, in a tone of distress, "the public will never do the magazines, and other fugitive repositories of me justice; whenever I write any thing, they the day. In a humorous preface which accom- make a point to know nothing about it." On anpanied the volume, he took notice of that circum- other occasion, when Boswell was present, "I stance, and vindicates his claim to the merit as fear," said Goldsmith, "I have come too late into well as the profit of his own productions. "Most the world; Pope and other poets have taken up of these Essays," said he, "have been regularly the places in the temple of Fame, and as a few at reprinted two or three times a-year, and conveyed any period can possess poetical reputation, a man of to the public through the channel of some engag- genius can now hardly acquire it." And in the ing compilation. If there be a pride in multiplied same querulous tone of despondency he addresses editions, I have seen some of my labours sixteen his brother, in the dedication to his "Traveller:" times reprinted, and claimed by different parents "Of all kinds of ambition, as things are now ciras their own. I have seen them flourished at cumstanced, perhaps that which pursues poetical the beginning with praise, and signed at the fame is the wildest. What from the increased reend with the names of Philantos, Philalethes, Phi- finement of the times, from the diversity of judglaleutheros, and Philanthropos. These gentle- ment produced by opposing systems of criticism men have kindly stood sponsors to my produc- and from the more prevalent divisions of opinion tions; and to flatter me more, have always passed influenced by party, the strongest and happiest them as their own. It is time, however, at last to efforts can expect to please but a very narrow cirvindicate my claims; and as these entertainers of cle." A short time, however, proved to our authe public, as they call themselves, have partly thor how fallacious were his fears. In less than a lived upon me for some years, let me now try if I year the publication of his "Traveller," placed can not live a little upon myself. I would desire, him at the head of the poets of his time. in this case, to imitate that fat man, whom I have The outline of this beautiful poem had been somewhere heard of in a shipwreck, who, when sketched during our author's residence in Switzthe sailors, pressed by famine, were taking slices erland, and part of it, as noticed in the dedication, from his posteriors to satisfy their hunger, insisted, had been addressed from that country to his brother with great justice, on having the first cut for him- Henry in Ireland. Diffident of its merit, and self." The rapidity with which the first impres- fearful of its success, he kept it by him in its origision of this little volume was disposed of, greatly nal crude state for several years, and it was not till surpassed the expectations of its author. Since he had been strongly encouraged by the high opinthat time, few books have gone through a greater ion expressed of it by Dr. Johnson, that he was at variety of editions. last induced to prepare it for the press. For two It has been somewhere remarked, that Gold- years previous to its publication, while toiling at smith was a plant of slow growth; and perhaps other works for bread, his choicest hours are said there may be some truth in the observation, in so to have been devoted to the revisal and correction far as regards public applause. He had now been of this poem, and, if report may be believed, no poseven years a writer, and, notwithstanding the va- em was ever touched and retouched by its author riety of his labours, had produced little, except his with more painful and fastidious care. When he "Inquiry" and "Citizen of the World," to distin- thought at length that it had received the highest guish him from the herd of authors by profession. possible finishing, it was committed to the press, With the public he was generally known as a and came out early in 1765. It was hailed with

delight by all ranks, celebrity and patronage fol- of him in every page; we grow intimate with him lowed the applause with which it was received, as a man, and learn to love him as we read. A and Goldsmith, so far as regarded fame, was at last general benevolence glows throughout this poem. at the height of his ambition.

the author had personally travelled.

It breathes the liberal spirit of a true citizen of the The great moral object of the "Traveller" is to world. And yet how beautifully does it inculcate reconcile man with his lot. The poet maintains and illustrate that local attachment, that preference that happiness is equally distributed among man- to native land, which, in spite of every disadvankind, and that a different good, either furnished by tage of soil or climate, pleads so eloquently to every nature or provided by art, renders the blessings of bosom; which calls out with maternal voice from all nations even. In pursuing his subject he takes the sandy desert or the stormy rock, appealing iran imaginary station on the Alps, and passes his resistibly to the heart in the midst of foreign luxuview over the countries that lie spread out beneath ries and delights, and calling the wanderer home. him, noticing those only, however, through which When the "Traveller" was published, Dr. Johnson wrote a review of it for one of the journals, He draws a picture of each in succession, de- and pronounced it the finest poem that had appearscribing from his own observation their scenery ed since the time of Pope. This was no cold praise, and manners. He enumerates their advantages, for the versification of Pope was at that time the and contrasts their various pursuits,-" wealth, model for imitation; his rules were the standard of commerce, honour, liberty, content,"-showing that criticism, and the "Essay on Man" was placed at each favourite object, when attained, runs into ex- the head of didactic poetry. The fame of Goldcess, and defeats itself by bringing with it its own smith was now firmly established; and he had the peculiar evil. He proceeds to show, that content- satisfaction to find, that it did not merely rest on ment is more frequently to be found in a meagre the authority of the million, for the learned and mountain soil and stormy region, than in a genial the great now deemed themselves honoured by his climate and luxuriant country; for labour produces acquaintance.

competence, and custom inures to hardship, while His poem was frequently the subject of converignorance renders the rugged peasant calm and sation among the literary circles of the time, and cheerful under a life of toil and deprivation. But particularly in that circle which used to assemble the poet makes a distinction between mere content at the house of Sir Joshua Reynolds. On one ocand happiness. If the wants of barren states are casion it was remarked among the company at Sir few, and their wishes limited, their enjoyments are Joshua's, that "the 'Traveller' had brought Goldin like manner circumscribed; for every want be- smith into high reputation."—"Yes," said Mr. comes a source of pleasure when gratified. Their Langton, "and no wonder; there is not one bad virtues partake also a similar dearth, and their line in that poem, not one of Dryden's careless morals, like their pleasures, are scanty, coarse, and low.

For, as refinement stops, from sire to son
Unalter'd, unimproved, the manners run;
And love's and friendship's finely pointed dart
Fail blunted from each indurated heart.

Some sterner virtues o'er the mountain's breast
May sit like falcons cowering on the nest;
But all the gentler morals, such as play

Through life's more cultured walks, and charm the way,
These, far dispersed, on timorous pinions fly,
To sport and flutter in a kinder sky.

verses."

"SIR JOSHUA.-I was glad to hear Charles Fox say, it was one of the finest poems in the English language.

"LANGTON.-Why were you glad? You surely had no doubt of it before.

"DR. JOHNSON.-No: the merit of the "Traveller," is so well established, that Mr. Fox's praise can not augment it, nor his censure diminish it."

"SIR JOSHUA.-But his friends may suspect they had too great a partiality for him.

"JOHNSON.-Nay, sir, it can not be so; for the The poet comes at length to the conclusion, that partiality of his friends was always against him." happiness centres in the mind, that it depends up- Goldsmith, however, was not permitted to enjoy on ourselves, and is equally to be enjoyed in every the fame he had acquired without experiencing alcountry and under every government; for, even in so the detraction that generally attends successful regions of tyranny and terror, where unjust laws genius. The envy of some and the jealousy of oppress, and cruel tortures are inflicted, these evils others, especially among the minor candidates for rarely find their way into the hallowed seclusion of a domestic circle.

poetical fame, was speedily awakened by the applause bestowed on his poem. Unable to deny the In this poem, we may particularly remark a merit of the performance, they strove to detract quality which distinguishes the writings of Gold from the merit of its author, by ascribing the chief smith; it perpetually presents the author to our part of it to the friendly muse of Dr. Johnson. minds. He is one of the few writers who are in- This question has since been finally settled. In separably identified with their works. We think the year 1783, Dr. Johnson, at the request of Mr.

Boswell, marked with a pencil all the lines he had aside unnoticed or neglected. Perhaps it was for furnished, which are only line 420th,

To stop too fearful, and too faint to go;

tunate for literature that it so happened. Goldsmith, with all his genius and taste as a writer, was but little versed in the arts; and it is extreme

and the concluding ten lines, except the last coup-ly questionable whether he was qualified to accomlet but one, printed in italic.

How small of all that human hearts endure,
That part which laws or kings can cause or cure;
Still to ourselves in every place consign'd,
Our own felicity we make or find;

With secret course, which no loud storms annoy,
Glides the smooth current of domestic joy,
The lifted are, the agonizing wheel,
Luke's iron crown, and Damien's bed of steel,*
To men remote from power but rarely known,
Leave reason, faith, and conscience, all our own.

to the press.

plish the task which he had proposed to himself. The opinion of his friend, Dr. Johnson, who so well knew and appreciated the extent of his acquirements, may be given as decisive of such a question. In a conversation with Mr. Boswell, the latter remarked, that our author "had long a visionary prospect of some time or other going to Aleppo, when his circumstances should be easier, in order to acquire a knowledge, as far as might be, of any arts peculiar to the East, and introduce them

Johnson added "these are all of which 1 can be into Britain;" to which Johnson rejoined, "of all sure." They bear indeed but a very trifling pro-men, Goldsmith is most unfit to go out on such an portion to the whole, which consists of four hun-inquiry; for he is yet ignorant of such arts as we dred and thirty-eight verses. The truth in this ourselves already possess, and consequently could case seems to be, that the report had its origin in not know what would be accessions to our present the avowed fact of the poem having been submit-stock of mechanical knowledge: sir, he would ted to Johnson's friendly revision before it was sent bring home a grinding-barrow, and think he had furnished a wonderful improvement." Goldsmith, Goldsmith, though now universally known and however, seems never to have been conscious of admired, and enabled to look forward to indepen-the deficiency of his own powers for such an undence at home, appears still to have retained a dertaking. His passion for travel was never exstrong tincture of his original roving disposition. tinguished; and notwithstanding the neglect with He had long entertained a design of penetrating which his application for ministerial patronage had into the interior parts of Asia, to investigate the been treated, his design of penetrating to the East remains of ancient grandeur, learning, and man- frequently revived. Even after the publication of ners; and when Lord Bute became prime minister the "Traveller," as formerly remarked, though enat the accession of George the Third, this desire gaged in several literary undertakings, this design was more strongly excited by the hope of obtain-was still predominant; and had it not been for his ing some portion of the royal bounty, then so libe- characteristic simplicity or carelesness, or perhaps rally dispensed by that nobleman in pensions and his propensity to practical blundering, an opportubenefactions to men of learning and genius. That nity was now thrown in his way that might have he might be enabled to execute this favourite proenabled him to fulfil his most sanguine expectaject he resolved on making a direct application to tions. the premier for pecuniary assistance, and the sancAmong the distinguished characters of the day tion of Government, but, the better to ensure suc- which the merit of the "Traveller," had attached cess, he previously drew up and published in the to its author, either as patrons or friends, Loid Public Ledger, an ingenious essay on the subject, Nugent (afterwards Earl of Clare) was conspicuin which the advantages of such a mission were ous in point of rank; and his lordship, not satisfied stated with much ability and eloquence. Our poor with his own personal notice and friendship, warmauthor, however, was then but little known, and ly recommended him to his friends in power, parnot having distinguished himself by any popular ticularly to the Earl (afterwards Duke) of Northliterary effort, his petition or memorial was thrown

*Goldsmith in this couplet mentions Luke as a person well known, and superficial readers have passed it over quite smoothly; while those of more attention have been as much perplexed by Lake, as by Lydiat in "The Vanity of Human

umberland, then lord-lieutenant of Ireland. That nobleman, on the recommendation of Lord Nugent, had read several of Goldsmith's productions, and being charmed with the elegance of their style, expressed a desire to extend his patronage to their

Wishes." The truth is, that Goldsmith himself was in a mis author. After his lordship's return from Ireland, take. In the "Respublica Hungarica,” there is an account in 1765, he communicated his intentions to Dr. of a desperate rebellion in the year 1514, headed by two bro- Percy, who was related to the family of Northumthers of the name of Zeck, George and Luke. When it was berland, and by his means an interview took place quelled, George, and not Luke, was punished, by his head between the poet and the peer. Of this visit to being encircled with a red hot iron crown: Corona cande- his lordship, Goldsmith used to give the following scente ferrea coronatur. The same severity of torture was

exercised on the Earl of Athol, one of the murderers of James account: "I was invited by my friend Percy to wait upon the duke, in consequence of the satis

1. of Scotland.

faction he had received from the perusal of one of dispositions will be pleased with such a charactermy productions. I dressed myself in the best man-istic instance of his well-known simplicity and ner I could, and after studying some compliments goodness of heart. A benevolent mind will disI thought necessary on such an occasion, proceed-cover in the recommendation of a brother, to the ed to Northumberland-house, and acquainted the exclusion of himself, a degree of disinterestedness, servants that I had particular business with the which, as it is seldom to be met with, is the more to duke. They showed me into an ante-chamber, be admired. where, after waiting some time, a gentleman very Though Goldsmith thus lost the only good opelegantly dressed made his appearance. Taking portunity that had offered for obtaining Govern him for the duke, I delivered all the fine things I ment patronage for his intended eastern expedihad composed, in order to compliment him on the tion, it must be admitted to the honour of the Duke honour he had done me; when, to my great aston- of Northumberland, that when the plan was afterishment, he told me I had mistaken him for his mas-wards explained to him at a distant period, he exter, who would see me immediately. At that in-pressed his regret that he had not been made acstant the duke came into the apartment, and I was quainted with it earlier; for he could at once have so confounded on the occasion, that I wanted words placed the poet on the Irish establishment, with a barely sufficient to express the sense I entertained sufficient salary to enable him to prosecute his reof the duke's politeness, and went away exceedingly searches, and would have taken care to have had chagrined at the blunder I had committed.

In the embarrassment which ensued from this awkward mistake, our author's eastern project, for which he had intended to have solicited his lordship's patronage, was totally forgotten, and the visit appears to have been concluded without even a hint as to this great object of his wishes.

it continued to him during the whole period of his travels. From this time our poet, though he sometimes talked of his plan, appears to have for ever relinquished the design of travelling into Asia.

Independent of every consideration of interest or ambition, the introduction of Goldsmith to a nobleman of such high rank as the Earl of NorthumSir John Hawkins, in his "Life of Dr. John-berland, was a circumstance sufficiently gratifying son," has noticed and commented on the circum- to a mind fond of distinction. In fact, the vanity stances attending this interview, with peevishness of our poet, was greatly excited by the honour of and ill-humour. "Having one day," says he, "a the interview with his lordship: and, for a considercall to wait on the late Duke, then Earl of North- able time after, it was much the subject of allusion umberland, I found Goldsmith waiting for an au- and reference in his conversation. One of those dience in an outer room: I asked him what had ingenious executors of the law, a bailiff, having brought him there; he told me, an invitation from come to the knowledge of this circumstance, deterhis lordship. I made my business as short as I mined to turn it to his advantage in the execution could, and as a reason, mentioned that Dr. Gold- of a writ which he had against the poet for a small smith was waiting without. The earl asked me debt. He wrote Goldsmith a letter, stating, that if I was acquainted with him? I told him I was, he was steward to a nobleman who was charmed adding what I thought was likely to recommend with reading his last production, and had ordered him. I retired, and stayed in the outer room to him to desire the doctor to appoint a place where take him home. Upon his coming out, I asked he might have the honour of meeting him, to conhim the result of this conversation. "His lord-duct him to his lordship. Goldsmith swallowed ship," said he, "told me he had read my poem, the bait without hesitation; he appointed the Brimeaning the 'Traveller,' and was much delighted tish Coffee-house, to which he was accompanied with it; that he was going lord-lieutenant to Ire- by his friend Mr. Hamilton, the proprietor and land, and that, hearing I was a native of that coun-printer of the Critical Review, who in vain remontry, he should be glad to do me any kindness." strated on the singularity of the application. On "And what did you answer," asked I, "to this entering the coffee-room, the bailiff paid his regracious offer?""Why," said he, "I could say spects to the poet, and desired that he might have nothing but that I had a brother there, a clergy-the honour of immediately attending him. They man, that stood in need of help: as for myself, I had scarcely entered Pall-Mall on their way to his have no dependence on the promises of great men; lordship, when the bailiff produced his writ, to the I look to the booksellers for support; they are my infinite astonishment and chagrin of our author. best friends, and I am not inclined to forsake them Mr. Hamilton, however, immediately interfered, for others."-"Thus," continues Sir John, "did generously paid the money, and redeemed the poet this idiot in the affairs of the world trifle with his from captivity. fortunes, and put back the hand that was held out Soon after the publication of the "Traveller," to assist him!"-In a worldly point of view, the Goldsmith appears to have fixed his abode in the conduct of Goldsmith on this occasion was un- Temple, where he ever afterwards resided. His doubtedly absurd; but those who have generous apartments were first in the library staircase, next

1

in the King's-Bench-walk, and ultimately at No. 2, | funeral of Mr. Garrick, became distinguished by in Brick-court. Here he had chambers in the first the title of the Literary Club. The members met floor, elegantly furnished, and here he was often and supped together one evening in every week, at visited by literary friends, distinguished alike by the Turk's Head, in Gerrard street, Soho. Their their rank, talents, and acquirements. In the num- meetings commenced at seven; and by means of ber of those with whom he now associated, and the inexhaustible conversational powers of Johnson, could rank among his friends, he was able to ex- Burke, and Beauclerk, their sittings were generally hibit a list of the most eminent and conspicuous protracted till a pretty late hour. It was originally men of the time, among whom may be particu- intended that the number of members should be larized the names of Burke, Fox, Johnson, Percy, made up to twelve, but for the first three or four Reynolds, Garrick, Colman, Dyer, Jones, Boswell, years it never exceeded nine or ten; and it was unand Beauclerk, with the Lords Nugent and Charle-derstood that if even only two of these should chance mont. The mention of these names naturally calls to meet, they would be able to entertain one another up the recollection of the famous Literary Club of for the evening.

which Goldsmith was one of the earliest members, About the beginning of 1768, the attending or and of which the conversational anecdotes, re-efficient members were reduced to eight; first by ported by Mr. Boswell, have contributed to give so the secession of Mr. Beauclerk, who became esmuch interest to the pages of that gentleman's bi-tranged by the gayer attractions of more fashionaography of Johnson. As our author continued a ble clubs; and next by the retirement of Sir John member of this select society from its foundation till Hawkins. his death, and shone as one of its most conspicuous Soon after this it was proposed by Dr. Johnson ornaments, some account of its institution, and a to elect a supply of new members, and to make up notice of the names of its members till the present time, all of whom have more or less figured in the literary or political world, may not be unacceptable to many of our readers.

*

their number to twelve, the election to be made by ballot, and one black ball to be sufficient for the ex clusion of a candidate. The doctor's proposal was immediately carried into effect by the election of Sir Robert Chambers, Dr. Percy, and the late George Colman; and these three were introduced as new members on Monday evening, February 15, 1768. Mr. Beauclerk having desired to be restored to the society, was re-elected about the same time.

This literary association is said by Mr. Boswell to have been founded in 1764, but Dr. Percy is of opinion that its institution was not so early. Sir Joshua Reynolds had the merit of being the first to suggest it to Dr. Johnson and Mr. Burke; and they having acceded to the proposal, the respective friends From this period till 1772 the club consisted of of these three were invited to join them. The ori- the same members, and its weekly meetings were ginal members, therefore, as they stand on the re-regularly continued every Monday evening till Decords of the society, were Sir Joshua Reynolds, cember that year, when the night of meeting was Dr. Johnson, Mr. Edmund Burke, Dr. Nugent, altered to Friday. Shortly afterwards there were Mr. Beauclerk, Mr. Langton, Dr. Goldsmith, Mr. no less than four vacancies occasioned by death. Chamier, and Sir John Hawkins; and to this num- These were supplied, first by the Earl of Charleber there was added soon afterwards Mr. Samuel mont and David Garrick, who were elected on the Dyer. It existed long without a name, but at the 12th of March, 1773; and next by Mr. (afterwards Sir William) Jones and Mr. Boswell, the former of whom was elected on the 2d, and the latter on the 30th of April following. In adverting to the election of Mr. Garrick, it may not be deemed impertinent to notice an error on the part of Sir John Hawkins, in his "Life of Johnson." Speaking of that gentleman's wish to become a member of the club, "Garrick," says the knight, "trusted that the least intimation of a desire to come among us would procure him a ready admission; but in this he was mistaken. Johnson consulted me upon it;

⚫ Neither Sir Joshua nor Sir John Hawkins had then been knighted, nor had Johnson been presented with his diploma of LL. D.; but both here and on other occasions the parties are noticed by their most common appellations.

This gentleman was a physician, father of Mr. Burke's wife; not the Dr. Nugent who published some volumes of travels, and several philosophical works, for whom he has been sometimes mistaken. The above Dr. Nugent was a very amiable man, and highly respected by his contemporaries.

This gentleman was one of the intimate friends of Mr. Burke, who inserted in the public papers the following cha racter of him at the time of his death, which happened on Monday, September 14, 1772:

those few who had the happiness of knowing intimately that valuable unostentatious man; and his death is to them a loss irreparable."

"On Monday evening died at his lodgings in Castle-street, Leicester Fields, Samuel Dyer, Esq., Fellow of the Royal Society He was a man of profound and general erudition; and his sagacity and judgment were fully equal to the extent of his Mr. Dyer was held in high estimation for his erudition by learning. His mind was candid, sincere, benevolent; his Dr. Johnson, but we know not of any literary work in which friendship disinterested and unalterable. The modesty, sim- he was concerned, except that he corrected and improved the plicity, and sweetness of his manners, rendered his conversa- translation of Plutarch's Lives, by Dryden and others, when tion as amiable as it was instructive, and endeared him to it was revived by Tonson.