not to return to town from Windsor for I think a fortnight, if we would only complete a proof that lay on his table in the Temple. It was concerning birds, and many books lay open that he had occasionally consulted for his own materials. We met by appointment, and Doctor Percy smilingly said, 'Do you know any thing about birds?' 'Not an atom' was my reply, 'do you?' 'Not I,' said he ; 'I scarcely know a goose from a swan; however let us try what we can do.' We set to work and our task was not very difficult. Some time after the work appeared we compared notes, but could not either of us recognize his own share."*

This excursion to Windsor was undertaken in company with some ladies, one of whom had written some pieces under the signature of Melissa, and likewise Mr. Purefoy, whose name has appeared in a preceding page, and who afterwards communicated some of the particulars to the late Mr. Pennick of the British Museum. It was literally by the account given by that gentleman, a party of pleasure, where enjoyment was pursued: with no ordinary zest.

A second edition of the History of England being likely to be called for soon, he was now occupied in the revision of the first; the error of making Naseby situated in Yorkshire was still overlooked. The following notes written about this

* Mr. Cradock, in his Memoirs. - Yet even by this anecdote it appears that Goldsmith afterwards altered or threw out what his friends supplied.

time relate to his employment; it may be necessary to notice in explanation of their being addressed to Mr. Cadell, that Davies having sold part of his interest in the work, the former had become the purchaser.

"Doctor Goldsmith's compliments to Mr. Cadell, and desires a set of the History of England for correction, if interleaved the better."

"Mr. Goldsmith's compliments to Mr. Cadell, begs for an hour or two, the use of Millot's History by Mrs. Brooke.

"Mr. Cadell, Strand."

see,

At what period the following letter was written does not appear, being without date, but probably about this time when exulting at the success of his last play. Another similar production as we in which it is doubtful whether he had made any progress, is held up to Garrick in prospect, who would appear by the proposed draught upon him to have been made occasionally available in pecuniary advances. The reference to Newbery appears to relate also to money transactions which had been productive of disagreement.

66

"To David Garrick, Esq.

"MY DEAR FRIEND,

"I THANK you! I wish I could do something to serve you. I shall have a comedy for you in a

season or two at farthest that I believe will be

worth your acceptance, for I fancy I will make it a fine thing. You shall have the refusal. I wish you would not take up Newbery's note but let Waller teaze him, without however coming to extremities; let him haggle after him and he will get it. I will draw upon you one month after date for sixty pound and your acceptance will be ready money, part of which I want to go down to Barton with. May God preserve my honest little man, for he has my "Ever,

heart.

"OLIVER GOLDSMITH.

To one of his visits to a favourite resort with Sir Joshua Reynolds, the following allusion occurs in a letter of Mr. Thomas Fitzmaurice, a relative of a noble Irish family, addressed to Garrick, dated August 4, 1773.†

"I shall dine at Twickenham to-morrow, and if I should not hear from you to the contrary, I shall set out from thence towards Hampton in my phaeton on Friday morning at nine o'clock; and if I should meet you or her Majesty on the Common shall be happy to take up one or both in my vehicle, or shall be glad to descend and accompany you on foot to Hampton. I am just going with Sir Joshua and Doctor Goldsmith to Vauxhall, which will be my first exit from home this day.

*In the collection of William Upcott, Esq.

+ Ibid.

Mrs. Garrick.

I don't find myself the better for my confinement of late. My best compliments, &c. &c. attend the best of Queens and her companion, my favourite Mrs. Flasby.

"Yours most sincerely and affectionately, &c.
"THOMAS FITZMAURICE."

CHAPTER XXIV.

EMBARRASSMENTS.-TABLE TALK.-HIS CONVERSATION.—WIT.

IMPRUDENCE in the management of his pecuniary concerns, produced at this time its frequent result, serious uneasiness of mind. To disappointment in the project of the Dictionary, was added failure by a few of his friends in efforts made to secure some provision for him from Government; he found difficulty in raising further supplies, and as a necessary consequence, of repaying sums already borrowed; while the calls of publishers compelled him to labour upon works for which the remuneration had been received and spent. His spirits became depressed, his health impaired, and short starts of irritability, to which he had been occasionally subject, increased; a jest would disconcert him, and he was seen to take offence in mixed societies from trifling causes.

As none of his acquaintance were informed of the extent of these embarrassments, they understood not certain inconsistencies, or as they were termed, absurdities, in his behaviour, assumed no doubt, often to throw off unpleasant recollections. From seeming absence or gravity, he would fly to