OLIVER GOLDSMITH

His Friends and his Critics.

A LECTURE

BY THE

RIGHT HON. JAMES WHITESIDE,

Q. C., LL. D., M. P.

DUBLIN:

HODGES, SMITH & CO., 104, GRAFTON STREET,

BOOKSELLERS TO THE UNIVERSITY.

1862.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

THE Education, Adventures and Mischances, of Oliver Goldsmith, from his

Childhood 'till he stood Friendless and Penniless, "in the Lonely,

Terrible Streets of London"

CHAPTER II.

3

PERSONAL History of Goldsmith-Struggles of an Author in London-The

Prose of Poets-Selections from Goldsmith's Prose-The Lawyers and

the Doctors-He ascends to Wine Arbour Court-Is discovered to be

a man of genius-Gives a supper to Doctor Johnson-Is introduced to

the wits of the time-Is elected by "The Club"-Notices of its leading

members-Johnson, . Burke, Gibbon, Reynolds, Garrick, Boswell-

"Immortal Conclave"-Intellectual contests between Johnson and

Burke-Sir Bulwer Lytton's brilliant criticisms in verse

CHAPTER III.

...

17

THE Vicar of Wakefield introduced by the verses of Sir Bulwer Lytton-

Rousseau and Voltaire in contrast with Johnson and Goldsmith-

Character, value and excellence of the book-Critical opinions thereon.

Macaulay's rejected-Schlegel's preferred, "The gem of European

works of fiction is the Vicar of Wakefield”-Historical abridgments.

An amusing Dialogue between Boswell and his master on the superior

merits of Goldsmith as an Historian-"The Animated Nature as

entertaining as a Persian tale"

CHAPTER IV.

...

41

GOLDSMITH as a Poet-History, uses and origin of Poetry-The Tra-

veller and minor Poems-The generosity, independence and political

integrity of our Poet established-His Plays-His fortune improved-

Expenses increased - The Deserted Village - Criticisms thereon-

Respective claims of Macaulay and of Goldsmith to immortality-

Calamities of Authors-The moral-Conclusion

...

52

Oliver Goldsmith,

HIS FRIENDS AND HIS CRITICS:

A Lecture

BY

THE RIGHT HON. JAMES WHITESIDE,

Q. C., LL. D., M. P.

DELIVERED BEFORE THE

DUBLIN YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

IN CONNEXION WITH THE

UNITED CHURCH OF ENGLAND AND IRELAND,

IN

THE METROPOLITAN HALL, JANUARY THE 8TH, 1862.