tion however, as we see, he could not always resist the temptation.

In the month of September, a small volume in which he was supposed to have a share, appeared from Newbery, to take its chance among a variety of competitors of more bulk and pretension, named "The Martial Review; or, a General History of the late War. Together with the Definitive Treaty; and some Reflections on the probable Consequences of the Peace."

The only part that can be claimed for him is the preface, less finished perhaps than what usually came from his hand: the body of the work, which first appeared in the "Reading Mercury" newspaper, from the pen of some person connected with the family of Christopher Smart, was now reprinted for the benefit of its members. For this unfortunate poet he entertained a degree of regard and compassion which was evinced in several efforts of active benevolence. On some occasions he is known to have given him money; at other times to have contributed literary assistance; and some time afterward, when his unhappy friend was suffering at once under occasional confinement for debt, and the more dreadful affliction of mental derangement, he drew up an appeal to the public with the view of raising subscriptions for his support and release, though doubts exist whether it ever came before the public. Bishop Percy had seen this address in MS.; and

in a letter to Malone (October 17th, 1786,*) mentions it among other detached pieces of the Poet which he wished to procure, as "a paper which he (Goldsmith) wrote to set about a subscription for poor Smart, the mad poet: I believe this last was never printed." It was not recovered by that prelate or his correspondent, and the present writer has likewise failed to find it in any of the periodical publications of the time.

In the first paragraph of the preface to this "Review," we find a pretty exact definition of what his own histories, written subsequently, aimed to be, the separation of "what is substantial and material from what is circumstantial and is useless in history;" but the importance claimed for this slight work, a duodecimo, may excite a smile in the readers of more voluminous accounts of the period described: bold claims upon public confidence he probably thought the most certain means of obtaining it. A favourable notice of this production, written by him likewise in all probability from an item in one of his accounts with Newbery, appeared in the Critical Review.

The life of an author during the greater part of the last century seems, from the small remuneration obtained in return for his exertions, to have been one of almost constant labour: he enjoyed few intervals of rest; his exertions rarely kept pace with his wants; and the conclusion of one undertaking proved but the signal for the commencement of another. Without great diligence, his bread was consumed before it was earned, and by thus anticipating his resources, he was often compelled to tax the present hour for the enjoyment of the past, in such compilations as promised the readiest supply. He has himself told us in an early production, * that "authors, like race-horses, should be fed but not fattened:" the observation was scarcely necessary, as few have had to complain of repletion by the bounty of even their warmest admirers; and he had long afterward to lament, that far from furnishing him with luxuries, they scarcely gave him bread.

As illustrative of the number and variety of his labours at this period, the following account rendered to his principal employer, is transcribed from the original in his own handwriting now before the writer; the sum specified for the first on the list is to be considered from what has been said as only

We may presume that some of these articles, such as the History of England, were only in progress. Those charged here "Critical and Monthly," were either contributions under those heads to the Christian's Magazine, or perhaps criticisms on works belonging to Newbery, which he found means of getting inserted in the respective Reviews of that name.

Beside this general acknowledgment, separate receipts, as will appear, were signed for the chief pieces; but the sum thus due to him being insufficient to liquidate the debt to the publisher, 1111. 1s. 6d. stated in a preceding page, he gave a promissory note for the balance :

" I promise to pay Mr. John Newbery or order forty-eight pounds one shilling and sixpence on demand for value received.

"October 11. 1763."

"OLIVER GOLDSMITH.

Few circumstances of a merely personal nature were more gratifying to him, than the acquaintance of Mr., afterwards Sir Joshua Reynolds, which by two of his contemporaries was said to have commenced in 1762, and as they understood, by an accidental meeting in the chambers of Dr. Johnson. As men of genius, they were soon attracted to each other; occasional interviews here, or in private associations of artists, among whom Goldsmith seems to have been well known, created a more thorough knowledge of qualities that commanded mutual esteem; while from their different pursuits, no opening existed for collision, or that jealousy of contemporary merit of which both with whatever truth have been accused. Their friendship was literally the union of Poetry and Painting.

The painter might even then be considered at the head of his profession. The poet had not yet exhibited any striking proof of devotion to that particular art in which he afterward so much excelled, although the latent fire was probably not unobserved by one who a few years before, had the discernment and sense to appreciate and se. lect as soon as he saw them Johnson and Burke for his friends. In Goldsmith he may have been willing also to know and to aid unfriended merit; and the latter saw in the long and severe struggle which he had hitherto maintained with poverty and obscurity, the advantage of cultivating the acquaintance of one who by skill and success in an elegant art, had escaped from both. The painter wished to draw him into that close association which he had sought with other eminent men, and from which in the coruscations of genius mutual profit is derived. The author, equally desirous of similar advantage, found the further benefit of meeting at the table of the artist persons of rank and talents whom he might not have seen elsewhere; his name became more familiar from being a guest there; his succeeding publications in consequence gained more immediate attention from many of that class who admire less, as the writer