prose as a specimen of the opinions and criticism of the day being too long for insertion here, will be found in a future volume annexed to the poem. Among other evidences of the popularity of the poem were imitations of the title and subject. Thus, "The Village Oppressed; a Poem-Dedicated to Dr. Goldsmith," and "The Frequented Village; a Poem-Dedicated to Dr. Goldsmith" soon appeared, both authors proud of his acquaintance, and proud likewise to tell the world of the honour they enjoyed. It may be doubted whether he was equally proud of his disciples, neither of whom were proficients in the art of poetry, as will be obvious from the complimentary and concluding part of the latter production, the better of the two, "by a Gentleman UPON DR. GOLDSMITH TAKING HIS FAREWELL OF POETRY IN 'Mason was mute, and Gray but touch'd the lyre, Where Shakspeare's genius blaz'd and Milton's glow'd, J. B." of the Middle Temple," who was so impressed by the danger of surreptitious copies of his work being put into circulation, that he "begs to sign the initials of his name B. K.' in each copy." 'Accept dear Goldsmith, these ingenuous lines, Whose generous breast no thought but truth confines; A bright example sheds its light around. To thee unfledged my tender muse would soar, The four concluding lines of the poem were supplied by Dr. Johnson, who in looking it over while preparing for the press, conceived they furnished a more appropriate termination "That trade's proud empire hastes to swift decay, As ocean sweeps the labour'd mole away: As rocks resist the billows and the sky." CHAPTER XX. REQUESTED TO WRITE IN SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRY. PAPER WIT. LIFE OF PARNELL. DR. HIFFERNAN. EXCURSION TO PARIS. LIFE OF BOLINGBROKE. HAUNCH OF VENISON. THE attention drawn to his farewell to Poetry appeared to answer the object for which it was probably written; that of hinting the impracticability of pursuing an art in which he gave so much pleasure, without having other pecuniary means than his literary labours furnished, of acquiring the necessary leisure for that purpose; and a public provision was thought of by his friends. An impression of being neglected there is no doubt, had for some time taken root in his mind; he became irritable from the constant drudgery of writing; and from the same cause experienced occasional attacks of a very painful complaint, which were usually succeeded by fits of despondency, and these held up to an excited imagination the probability of being deprived by advancing infirmity of the power of contributing to his own support. A considerable share of public favour and applause added something perhaps to the opinion of his own deserts. Next to Johnson, he occupied the largest share of public attention in popular literature; on topics of criticism and polite letters his name frequently occurs in the periodical works of the day in conjunction with the latter, and appeals were made conjointly to their judgment; his works had acquired the highest reputation; and the state of his pecuniary circumstances when known, induced the hope of sharing in the bounty that had pensioned Johnson, Sheridan, and Shebbeare, and found means if not of pensioning, at least of being liberal to Murphy, Kelly, and others. Allusions to his poverty occur in many parts of his writings and he was equally unreserved in conversation. To Poetry he says emphatically "That found'st me poor at first and keep'st me so." Writing to Mr. Bennet Langton in 1771, in speaking of his labours in Natural History we have the admission-" God knows I am tired of this kind of finishing, which is but bungling work; and that not so much my fault as the fault of my scurvy circumstances." In the preface to that history in allusion to the expense as well as the labour it cost him, we are told, "I have taxed my scanty circumstances in procuring books, which are on this subject, of all others the most expensive." To the Earl of Lisburn, who once addressed him at a dinner at the Royal Academy with a complimentary notice of his poetical talents and an inquiry whether the world was to be favoured by a new production of his genius, he jocularly replied, "My Lord, I cannot afford to court the draggle-tail Muses; they will let me starve; but by pursuing plain prose, I can make shift to eat, and drink, and wear good clothes." No other notice of the hints thus dropped was taken by the dispensers of national bounty, than an attempt made some months afterwards to engage him through the means of one of their most active agents in support of the ministry, which was then hard-pressed by the opposition in parliament, and by Junius, Wilkes, and a variety of other political writers out of it; so that his reward or expected reward, was thus to be made dependent, not on his literary, but on his political services. This proposal he had the courage to decline. The fact of its having been made, seems to be placed beyond doubt, by the bearer of it, the Rev. Dr. Scott, well known as a warm political partisan of the day, and a constant writer in the newspapers under a variety of signatures, particularly AntiSejanus, Panurge, and others,* having communicated the fact to living witnesses.† To one of these, Mr. Basil Montagu, to whom the public is indebted for matters of much more importance, the writer is obliged for the anecdote. It exhibits the very different tone of feeling between the Poet *In the Public Advertiser, April 6th, 1770, there is a coarse and abusive squib, addressed "To the Rev. Anti-Sejanus, alias the Rev. Mr. Slyboots, alias the Rev. Mr. Chaplain to the pious Jemmy Twitcher" (Lord Sandwich, who was known by this name). This was Dr. Scott. + Since this was written, Sir George Tuthill has died. |