L E T T E R, ADDRESSED TO THE PRINTER OF THE ST. JAMES'S CHRONICLE, APPEARED IN THAT PAPER, IN JUNE, MDCC LXVII. SIR, As there is nothing I dislike so much as newspaper controversy, particularly upon trifles, permit me to be as concise as possible in informing a correspondent of yours, that I recommended Blain , ville's Travels, because I thought the book was a good one ; and I think so still. I said, I was told by the bookseller that it was then first published ; but in that, it seems, I was mil-informed, and my reading was not extensive enough to set me right. Another correspondent of yours accuses me of having taken a ballad, I published some time ago, from one * by the ingenious Mr. Percy. I do not think there is any great resemblance between the two pieces in question. If there be any, his ballad is taken from mine. I read it to Mr. Percy fome C years VOL. II. 66 * The Friar of Orders Gray. « Reliq. of Anc. Poetry," Vol. 1, Book 2. No. 18. years ago ; and he (as we both considered these things as trifles at best) told me with his usual good humour, the next time I saw him, that he had taken my plan to form the fragments of Shakespeare into a ballad of his own. He then read me his little Cento, if I may so call it, and I highly approved it. Such petty anecdotes as these are scarcely worth printing : and, were it not for the busy disposition of some of your correspondents, the public should never have known that he owes me the hint of his ballad, or that I am obliged to his friendship and learning for communications of a much more important nature. I am, Sir, Yours, &c. OLIVER GOLDSMITH, Note, On the subject of the preceding letter, the reader is desired to consult « The Life of Dr. Goldsmith,” under the year 1765. THE «TURN, gentle Hermit of the dale, “ And guide my lonely way, 66 “ To where yon taper chears the vale çc With hospitable ray. 6 For here forlorn and lost I tread, “ With fainting steps and slow; 45 Where wilds, immeasurably spread, « Seem length’ning as I go.” III. « Forbear, my son,” the Hermit cries, “ To tempt the dangerous gloom; “ For yonder faithless phantom flies « To lure thee to thy doom. IV. still; 6 Here to the houseless child of want “ My door is open “ And though my portion is but fcant, “ I give it with good will. " Then turn to-night, and freely share " Whate'er my cell bestows; 66 « My rushy couch and frugal fare, My blessing and repose, VI. “ No flocks that range the valley free, “ To Naughter I condemn; “ Taught by that Power that pities me, “ I learn to pity them : VII. But from the mountain's graffy side VIII, Then, pilgrim, turn, thy cares forego ; - All earth-born cares are wrong; * Iran wants but little here below, * Nor wants that little long." Soft IX. Soft as the dew from Heav'n descends, His gentle accents fell : And follows to the cell. X. Far in a wilderness obscure The lonely mansion lay, And strangers led astray. XI. No stores beneath its humble thatch Requir'd a master's care; Receiv'd the harmless pair. a XII. And now, when busy crowds retire To take their ev’ning rest, And chear'd his pensive guest: XIII. And spread his vegetable store, And gayly press’d, and (mil'd; And skill'd in legendary lore The ling’ring hours beguild. Around |