an improvident liberality, which prevented his distinguishing properly the objects of his generosity; and an unhappy attachment to gaming, with the arts of which he was very little acquainted. He therefore remained at times as much embarrassed in his circumstances as when his income was in its lowest and most precarious state. He had been for some years, at different times, affected with a violent stranguary, which contributed to imbitter the latter part of his life, and which, united with the vexations he suffered upon other occasions, brought on a kind of habitual despondency. In this condition he was attacked by a nervous fever, which, in spite of the most able medical assistance, terminated in his dissolution on the 4th day of April, 1774, in the forty-fifth year of his age. His remains were deposited in the burial-ground belonging to the Temple, and a monument hath since been erected to his memory, in Westminster Abbey, at the expense of a literary club to which he belonged. It consists of a large medallion, exhibiting a good likeness of the Doctor, embellished with literary ornaments; underneath which is a tablet of white marble with the following inscription, written by his friend, Dr. Samuel Johnson. Englished. This Monument is raised Poet, Natural Philosopher and Historian; or, Unadorned by His Pen, He was a powerful master Though at the same time a gentle tyrant; His Memory will last As long as Society retains affection, Where Pallas had set her name, He was educated at Dublin, 4th April, 1774. We shall conclude this account of the life of Dr. Goldsmith with the following poem, written on the death of our poet. ON THE DEATH OF DR. GOLDSMITH. BY W. WOTY. ADIEU, sweet bard! to each fine feeling true, Thy virtues many, and thy foibles few; Those form'd to charm e'en vicious minds, and these None gave more free,-for none more deeply felt. Description of an Author's Bedchamber........ 87 The Clown's Reply................................. Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog........... |