"What such an author told, who would tell it you, and staying double the time of our late intendagain? I have made an abstract from his larger nar-ed visit. We often meet, and never without reration; and have this gratification from my attempt, membering you. I see Mr. Beauclerk very often, that it gives me an opportunity of paying due tri- both in town and country. He is now going dibute to the memory of Goldsmith." rectly forward to become a second Boyle: deep in Amongst his various undertakings for the book-chemistry and physics. Johnson has been down sellers at this period, there was one, however, in upon a visit to a country parson, Dr. Taylor, and which Goldsmith was peculiarly unfortunate. He is returned to his old haunts at Mrs Thrale's. had been employed by Griffin to make a selection Burke is a farmer, en attendant a better place; but of elegant poems from the best English classics, for visiting about too. Every soul is visiting about, the use of boarding-schools, and to prefix to it one and merry, but myself: and that is hard, too, as I of his captivating prefaces. In noting the selections have been trying these three months to do somefor the printer, Goldsmith unluckily marked off one thing to make people laugh. There have I been of the most indecent tales in Prior,—a circumstance strolling about the hedges, studying jests, with a that effectually ruined the reputation and the sale most tragical countenance. The 'Natural Histoof the work at the same time. It has been said, ry' is about half finished, and I will shortly finish that the error in this instance must have arisen the rest. God knows I am tired of this kind of from inadvertency or carelessness; but the inadver- finishing, which is but bungling work; and that tency must have been excessive, as the tale is actually introduced with a criticism. not so much my fault as the fault of my scurvy circumstances. They begin to talk in town of Goldsmith, when conversing on the subject of his the Opposition's gaining ground; the cry of liberty labours at this time as a compiler, used to refer to is still as loud as ever. I have published, or Davies the "Selection of English Poetry," as a striking has published for me, 'An Abridgment of the Hisinstance of the facility with which such work might tory of England,' for which I have been a good sometimes be performed. He remarked "that of deal abused in the newspapers for betraying the all his compilations, this showed most the art of the liberties of the people. God knows I had no thought profession." To furnish copy for it required no in- for or against liberty in my head; my whole aim vention, and but little thought: he had only to being to make up a book of a decent size, that, as mark with a pencil the particular passages for the Squire Richard says, 'would do no harm to noboprinter, so that he easily acquired two hundred dy.' However, they set me down as an arrant pounds; "but then," said he, "lest the premium Tory, and consequently an honest man. When should be deemed more than a compensation for the you come to look at any part of it, you will say that labour, a man shows his judgment in these selec-I am a sour Whig. God bless you; and, with my tions, and he may be often twenty years of his life most respectful compliments to her ladyship, I recultivating that judgment." main, dear sir, your most affectionate humble servant." In 1771, Goldsmith was invited by Mr. Bennet Langton and his lady, the Countess of Rothes, to spend some part of the autumn with them at their seat in Lincolnshire. Sir Joshua Reynolds, it would seem, had promised to accompany him on this visit; but, from the following letter to Mr. Langton, neither he nor Sir Joshua were able at that time to avail themselves of the invitation. The letter is dated Temple, Brick-court, September 7, 1771. Goldsmith's residence at the farmer's house mentioned in this letter, appears to have been continued for a considerable time. It was situated near to the six-mile stone on the Edgeware-road; and Mr. Boswell mentions that he and Mr. Mickle, translator of "The Lusiad," paid him a visit there, in April, 1772. Unfortunately they did not find him at home; but having some curiosity to see his apartment, they went in, and found curious scraps of "MY DEAR SIR,-Since I had the pleasure of descriptions of animals scrawled upon the wall, seeing you last, I have been almost wholly in the with a black lead pencil. He had carried down his country at a farmer's house quite alone, trying to books thither, that he might pursue his labours write a comedy. It is now finished, but when, or with less interruption. According to the testimohow it will be acted, or whether it will be acted at ny of a literary friend, who had close intercourse all, are questions I can not resolve. I am therefore with him for the last ten years of his life, the folso much employed upon that, that I am under the lowing was his mode of study and living, while in necessity of putting off my intended visit to Lin- the country. He first read in a morning from the colnshire for this season.-Reynolds is just return-original works requisite for the compilation he had ed from Paris, and finds himself now in the case of in hand, as much as he designed for one letter or a truant, that must make up for his idle time by chapter marking down the passages referred to on diligence. We have therefore agreed to postpone a sheet of paper, with remarks. He then rode or our journey till next summer, when we hope to walked out with a friend or two, returned to dinner, have the honour of waiting upon Lady Rothes and spent the day generally convivially, without much drinking, to which he was never addicted; and besides a critic of acknowledged taste and acumen. when he retired to his bed-chamber, took up his His reluctance to accept of our author's play, books and papers with him, where he generally therefore, and his decided condemnation of it at its wrote the chapter, or the best part of it, before he last rehearsal, was almost considered decisive of its went to rest. This latter exercise, he said, cost fate. Goldsmith, however, did not despair of it him very little trouble; for having all his materi- himself; and the.opinion of Dr. Johnson, without als duly prepared, he wrote it with as much ease as being sanguine, leaned to the favourable side. In a common letter. The mode of life and study thus a letter to Mr. Boswell he says, "Dr. Goldsmith described, Goldsmith, however, only pursued by has a new comedy, which is expected in the spring. fits. He loved the gaieties, amusements, and so- No name is yet given to it. The chief diversion ciety of London; and amongst these he would oc- arises from a stratagem, by which a lover is made casionally lose himself for months together. To to mistake his future father-in-law's house for an make up for his lost time he would again retire to inn. This, you see, borders upon farce. The dithe farm-house, and there devote himself to his la-alogue is quick and gay, and the incidents are so bours with such intense application, that, for weeks prepared as not to seem improbable." And aftersuccessively, he would remain in his apartments wards, when Colman had actually consented to without taking exercise. This desultory system is bring it out, Johnson wrote thus to the Rev. Mr. supposed to have injured his health, and to have White: "Dr. Goldsmith has a new comedy in rebrought on those fits of the strangury to which he hearsal at Covent Garden, to which the manager was subject in the latter part of his life. He used predicts ill success. I hope he will be mistaken: to say, that "he believed the farmer's family with I think it deserves a very kind reception." Others whom he lodged thought him an odd character, simi- of Goldsmith's friends also entertained favourable lar to that in which the Spectator appeared to his opinions of the piece; and a few of them even prolandlady and her children: he was The Gentleman." phetically anticipated a triumph over the judgment About this period he was concerned in a work of the manager. Perhaps, however, the strong and called "The Gentleman's Journal," published once decided interest taken by these friends in the fate a fortnight. It was conducted under the joint ma- of the play was one great cause of its success. A nagement of Kenrick, Bickerstaff, and others; but large party of them, with Johnson at their head, was soon discontinued. When a friend was talk- attended to witness the representation, and a scheme ing to our author one day on the subject of this to lead the plaudits of the house, which had been work, he concluded his remarks by observing, preconcerted with much address, was carried into what an extraordinary sudden death it had. "Not execution with triumphant effect. This contriat all, sir," said Goldsmith; "a very common case; it died of too many doctors." vance, and the circumstances which led to it are detailed by Mr. Cumberland in his Memoirs. "It His next performance was his second attempt was now," says Mr. Cumberland, "that I first met as a dramatist. Not discouraged by the cold re- him at the British Coffee-house. He dined with ception which his first play had met with, he re- us as a visiter, introduced, as I think, by Sir Joshua solved to try his fate with a second, and, maugre a Reynolds, and we held a consultation upon the host of adverse critics, succeeded. In his letter to naming of his comedy, which some of the company Mr. Langton he mentions, that he had been occu- had read, and which he detailed to the rest after pied in writing a comedy, "trying these three his manner with a great deal of good humour. months to do something to make the people laugh," Somebody suggested-She Stoops to Conquer; and and "strolling about the hedges, studying jests, that title was agreed upon. When I perceived an with a most tragical countenance." This was the embarrassment in his manner towards me, which drama which he afterwards christened "She Stoops I could readily account for, I lost no time to put to Conquer; or, The Mistakes of a Night." Al- him at his ease; and I flatter myself I was successthough then just finished, its publication was de-ful. As my heart was ever warm towards my conlayed till it should be acted at one of the theatres; temporaries, I did not counterfeit, but really felt a and from the various obstacles and delays which cordial interest in his behalf; and I had soon the are there thrown in an author's way, it was not pleasure to perceive, that he credited me for my produced till March, 1773. Much difference of sincerity.-'You and I,' said he, 'have very differopinion existed as to the probability of its success. ent motives for resorting to the stage. I write for The majority of critics to whom it had been sub-money, and care little about fame."-I was touched mitted were apprehensive of a total failure; and it by this melancholy confession, and from that mowas not till after great solicitation, that Mr. Col- ment busied myself assiduously amongst all my man, the manager of Covent Garden theatre, con- connexions in his cause. The whole company sented to put it in rehearsal. That gentleman had pledged themselves to the support of the ingenuhimself given incontestable proofs of dramatic ge- ous poet, and faithfully kept their promise to him. nius, in the production of various pieces, and was In fact, he needed all that could be done for him, as Mr. Colman, then manager of Covent Garden grossed by his person and performances, that the theatre, protested against the comedy, when as yet progress of the play seemed likely to become a sehe had not struck upon a name for it. Johnson condary object, and I found it prudent to insinuate at length stood forth in all his terrors as champion to him that he might halt his music without any for the piece, and backed by us, his clients and re- prejudice to the author; but, alas! it was now too tainers, demanded a fair trial. Colman again pro-late to rein him in: he had laughed upon my sigtested; but, with that salvo for his own reputation, |nal where he found no joke, and now unluckily he liberally lent his stage to one of the most eccentric fancied that he found a joke in almost every thing productions that ever found its way to it; and that was said; so that nothing in nature could be 'She Stoops to Conquer' was put into rehearsal. more mal-a-propos than some of his bursts every now and then were. These were dangerous moments, for the pit began to take umbrage; but we carried our point through, and triumphed not only over Colman's judgment but our own." "We were not over sanguine of success, but perfectly determined to struggle hard for our author: we accordingly assembled our strength at the Shakspeare Tavern in a considerable body for an early dinner, where Samuel Johnson took the The victory thus achieved was a source of infichair at the head of a long table, and was the life nite exultation to Goldsmith, not more from the and soul of the corps: the poet 'took post silently pride of success, than from the mortification he by his side, with the Burkes, Sir Joshua Reynolds, imagined it caused to the manager, at whom he Fitzherbert, Caleb Whitefoord, and a phalanx of was not a little piqued in consequence of the folNorth British predetermined applauders, under lowing circumstance. the banner of Major Mills, all good men and true. On the first night of performance he did not Our illustrious president was in inimitable glee: come to the house till towards the close of the reand poor Goldsmith that day took all his raillery presentation, having rambled into St. James's as patiently and complacently as my friend Bos- Park to ruminate on the probable fate of his piece; well would have done any day, or every day of his and such was his anxiety and apprehension, that life. In the mean time we did not forget our du- he was with much difficulty prevailed on to repair ty; and though we had a better comedy going, in to the theatre, on the suggestion of a friend, who which Johnson was chief actor, we betook our-pointed out the necessity of his presence, in order selves in good time to our separate and allotted to mark any objectionable passages, for the purpose posts, and waited the awful drawing up of the cur- of omission or alteration in the repetition of the tain. As our stations were preconcerted, so were performance. With expectation suspended be our signals for plaudits arranged and determined tween hope and fear, he had scarcely entered the upon in a manner that gave every one his cue passage that leads to the stage, when his ears were where to look for them, and how to follow them up. shocked with a hiss, which came from the audience "We had amongst us a very worthy and efficient as a token of their disapprobation of the farcical member, long since lost to his friends and the supposition of Mrs. Hardcastle being so deluded world at large, Adam Drummond, of amiable me- as to suppose herself at a distance of fifty miles mory, who was gifted by nature with the most so- from home while she was actually not distant fifty norous, and at the same time the most contagious, yards. Such was our poor author's tremor and laugh that ever echoed from the human lungs. agitation on this unwelcome salute, that running The neighing of the horse of the son of Hystaspes up to the manager, he exclaimed, "What's that? was a whisper to it; the whole thunder of the thea- what's that?"-"Pshaw, doctor!" replied Colman, tre could not drown it. This kind and ingenu- in a sarcastic tone, "don't be terrified at squibs, ous friend fairly forewarned us, that he knew no when we have been sitting these two hours upon more when to give his fire than the cannon did a barrel of gunpowder." The pride of Goldsmith that was planted on a battery. He desired, there- was so mortified by this remark, that the friendship fore, to have a flapper at his elbow, and I had the which had before subsisted between him and the honour to be deputed to that office. I planted him manager was from that moment dissolved. in an upper box, pretty nearly over the stage, in The play of "She Stoops to Conquer" is foundfull view of the pit and galleries, and perfectly welled upon the incident already related, which befel situated to give the echo all its play through the the author in his younger days, when he mistook hollows and recesses of the theatre. The success a gentleman's house for an inn. Although, from of our manœuvres was complete. All eyes were the extravagance of the plot, and drollery of the upon Johnson, who sat in a front row of a side incidents, we must admit that the piece is very box; and when he laughed, every body thought nearly allied to farce, yet the dialogue is carried on themselves warranted to roar. In the mean time in such pure and elegant language, and the strokes my friend followed signals with a rattle so irresisti- of wit and humour are so easy and natural, that bly comic, that, when he had repeated it several few productions of the drama afford more pleasure times, the attention of the spectators was so en- in the representation. It still keeps possession of "FOR THE LONDON PACKET. "TO DR. GOLDSMITH. the stage as a stock play, and is frequently acted; | Packet" of the 24th March, 1773, published by a circumstance which proves the accuracy of the Mr. Thomas Evans, bookseller in PaternosterBoth the manner and the matter are unopinion expressed by Dr. Johnson, "that he knew row. of no comedy for many years that had so much worthy of Kenrick, who was a man of talents. It exhilarated an audience; that had answered so was probably the work of a more obscure hand. much the great end of comedy-that of making an audience merry." In publishing this play, Goldsmith paid his friend Johnson the compliment of a dedication, and expressed in the strongest manner the high regard he entertained for him. "By inscribing this slight performance to you," said he, "I do not mean so much to compliment you as myself. It may do me some honour to inform the public, that I have lived many years in intimacy with you. It may serve the interests of mankind also to inform them, that the greatest wit may be found in a character without impairing the most unaffected piety." "Vous vous noyez par vanité. "SIR,-The happy knack which you have learnt of puffing your own compositions, provokes me to come forth. You have not been the editor of newspapers and magazines, not to discover the trick of literary humbug: but the gauze is so thin, that the very foolish part of the world see through it, and discover the doctor's monkey face, and The good fortune which attended this drama cloven foot. Your poetic vanity is as unpardona. was productive of its usual concomitants-a mixed ble as your personal. Would man believe it, and portion of applause and censure, with instances of will woman bear it, to be told, that for hours the fulsome flattery and furious detraction. While great Goldsmith will stand surveying his grotesque from less fortunate bards, whose poverty induced orang-outang's figure in a pier glass? Was but the them to solicit his bounty, he received the incense lovely H-k as much enamoured, you would not of adulation in a torrent of congratulatory address-sigh, my gentle swain, in vain. But your vanity is es; from others, more independent, who were preposterous. How will this same bard of Bedlam jealous of his reputation, and envied his success, he experienced all the virulence of malignant criticism and scurrilous invective. A single instance of each may gratify the curiosity of our readers. "ON DR. GOLDSMITH'S COMEDY 'SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER.' "Quite sick in her bed Thalia was laid, A sentiment puke had quite kill'd the sweet maid, ring the changes in the praise of Goldy! But what has he to be either proud or vain of? The Traveller' is a flimsy poem, built upon false principlesprinciples diametrically opposite to liberty. What is The Good-natured Man' but a poor, water-gruel, dramatic dose? What is the 'Deserted Village' but a pretty poem, of easy numbers, without fancy, dignity, genius, or fire? And pray what may be the last speaking pantomime, so praised by the doctor himself, but an incoherent piece of stuff, the figure of a woman with a fish's tail, without plot, incident, or intrigue? We are made to laugh at stale dull jokes, wherein we mistake pleasantry for wit, and grimace for humour; wherein every scene is unnatural, and inconsistent with the rules, the laws of nature, and of the drama: viz. two gentlemen come to a man of fortune's house, eat, drink, etc. and take it for an inn. The one is intended as a lover for the daughter: he talks with her for some hours: and when he sees her again in a different dress, he treats her as a bar-girl, "and swears she squinted. He abuses the master of the grate-doors. The 'squire, whom we are told is to be a house, and threatens to kick him out of his own When a regular doctor, one Goldsmith by name, "Oh! doctor, assist a poor bard who lies ill, From your kindness he hopes for some ease. "The bearer is the author's wife, and an answer from Dr. Goldsmith by her, will be ever fully acknowledged by his humble servant, fool, proves the most sensible being of the piece; 'JOHN OAKMAN, and he makes out a whole act, by bidding his mo"Saturday, March 27, 1773." ther lie close behind a bush, persuading her that The other instance exhibits an attempt to check his father, her own husband, is a highwayman, the author's triumph on the ninth night after the and that he has come to cut their throats, and, to representation of his play. It was a most illiberal give his cousin an opportunity to go off, he drives personal attack, in the form of a letter (supposed his mother over hedges, ditches, and through ponds. to be written by Dr. Kenrick,) addressed to Gold-There is not, sweet sucking Johnson, a natural smith himself, and inserted in "The London stroke in the whole play, but the young fellow's "TO THE PUBLIC. giving the stolen jewels to the mother, supposing| her to be the landlady. That Mr. Colman did no justice to this piece, I honestly allow; that he told his friends it would be damned, 1 positively aver; "Lest it may be supposed, that I have been wil. and, from such ungenerous insinuations, without a ling to correct in others an abuse of what I have dramatic merit, it rose to public notice; and it is been guilty myself, I beg leave to declare, that in now the ton to go and see it, though I never saw all my life I never wrote or dictated a single paraa person that either liked it, or approved it, any more than the absurd plot of Home's tragedy of 'Alonzo.' Mr. Goldsmith, correct your arrogance, reduce your vanity: and endeavour to believe, as a man, you are of the plainest sort; and, as an author, but a mortal piece of mediocrity. "Brise le miroir le infidèle, "TOM TICKLE." graph, letter, or essay in a newspaper, except a few moral essays, under the character of a Chinese, about ten years ago, in the 'Ledger;' and a letter, to which I signed my name, in the 'St. James's Chronicle.' If the liberty of the press, therefore, has been abused, I have had no hand in it. "I have always considered the press as the protector of our freedom;-as a watchful guardian, capable of uniting the weak against the encroachments of power. What concerns the public most properly admits of a public discussion. But, of late, the press has turned from defending public Indignant at the wanton scurrility of this letter, interest to making inroads upon private life; from which was pointed out to him by the officious kind- combating the strong to overwhelming the feeble. ness of a friend, and enraged at the indelicacy of in- No condition is now too obscure for its abuse; and troducing the name of a lady with whom he was ac- the protector is become the tyrant of the people. In quainted, Goldsmith, acccompanied by one of his this manner, the freedom of the press is beginning countrymen, waited on Mr. Evans, and remonstrat-to sow its own dissolution; the great must oppose ed with him on the malignity and cruelty of such an it from principle, and the weak from fear; till at unmerited attack upon private character. After ar- last every rank of mankind shall be found to give guing upon the subject, Evans, who had really no up its benefits, content with security from its inconcern in the paper, except as publisher, went to sults. examine the file; and while stooping down for it, the "How to put a stop to this licentiousness, by author was rashly advised by his friend to take that which all are indiscriminately abused, and by which opportunity of using his cane, which he imme-vice consequently escapes in the general censure, diately proceeded to do, and applied it to the pub-I am unable to tell. All I could wish is, that as Fisher's shoulders. The latter, however, unexpect- the law gives us no protection against the injury, edly made a powerful resistance, and being a stout, so it should give calumniators no shelter after high-blooded Welshman, very soon returned the having provoked correction. The insults which blows with interest. Perceiving the turn that mat- we receive before the public, by being more open, ters were taking, Goldsmith's hot-headed friend are the more distressing. By treating them with fled out of the shop, leaving him in a sad plight, silent contempt, we do not pay a sufficient deferand nearly overpowered by the fierce Welshman. Jence to the opinion of the world. By recurring to In the mean time, Dr. Kenrick, who happened to legal redress, we too often expose the weakness of be in a private room of the publisher's, came forward the law, which only serves to increase our mortion hearing the noise, and interposed between the fication by failing to relieve us. In short, every combatants, so as to put an end to the fight. The man should singly consider himself as a guardian author, sorely bruised and battered, was then con- of the liberty of the press; and, as far as his influveyed to a coach; and Kenrick, though suspected ence can extend, should endeavour to prevent its lito be the writer of the libel, affecting great com-centiousness becoming at last the grave of its freepassion for his condition, conducted him home. dom. This ridiculous quarrel afforded considerable sport for the newspapers before it was finally made up. The composition of this address is so much in An action was threatened by Evans for the assault, the style of Dr. Johnson, that it was at first generbut it was at length compromised. Many para-ally believed to be the production of his pen. Johngraphs appeared, however, reflecting severely on son, however, always disclaimed any participation the impropriety of Goldsmith's attempting to beat in it; and his disavowal has since been recorded in a person in his own house; and to these he con- the volumes of Mr. Boswell. "On Saturday, ceived it incumbent on him to make a reply. Ac- April 3,” says that gentleman, "the day after my cordingly the following justificatory address ap- arrival in London this year, I went to his (Dr. peared in "The Daily Advertiser" of Wednesday, Johnson's) house late in the evening, and sat with March 31, 1773. Mrs. Williams till he came home. I found, in the "OLIVER GOLDSMITH." |