GOLDSMITH, AND HIS BIOGRAPHERS.

343

that Johnson, who had contributed a few lines, a familiar nod, he pledged the poet in the hearing
"Glover
was the author of the whole. Accordingly, Mr. of the whole company, "Come, Noll, here's my
Chamier, one of the members, on the first occa- service to you, my old boy." We quote the sequel
sion that presented itself, undertook to sound the of the story from Washington Irving.
He boldly commenced whispered to Goldsmith that he should not allow
'Let him alone,' was the reply,
author on the subject.
with the question, "Mr. Goldsmith, what do you such liberties.
mean by the last word in the first line of your
'Traveller'-

Remote, unfriended, melancholy, slow

Do you mean tardiness of locomotion ?" Johnson
was there, watching his flurried friend, and thus
"who
Goldsmith," he says,
reports his reply.
would say something without consideration, an-
I was sitting by, and said,
swered 'Yes.'
'No, sir, you did not mean tardiness of locomo-
tion; you mean that sluggishness of mind which
man in solitude.'-' Ah!'
claimed Goldsmith, that was what I meant.'
Chamier," continues Johnson, "believed then I
had written the line, as much as if he had scen
me write it."

comes upon a

ex

No doubt and yet how natural was the thoughtless, off-hand reply from the lips of the inconsid"No man," truly remarked the erate Hibernian. great lexicographer, on another occasion, " is more foolish than Goldsmith when he has not a pen in his hand, or more wise when he has."

66

6 you 'll see how civilly I'll let him down.' After
a time he called out, Mr. B., I have the honor of
drinking your good health.' Alas! dignity was
not poor Goldsmith's forte; he could keep no one
'Thank'ee, thank'ee, Noll,' nodded
at a distance.
the pig-butcher, scarce taking the pipe out of his
mouth. I don't see the effect of your reproof,'
pig
whispered Glover. I give it up,' replied Gold-
smith, with a good-humored shrug; 'I ought to
have known before now there is no putting a
in the right way.'

Already distinguished as a novelist and poet, Goldsmith's next triumph was in the drama. After having been subjected to many vexatious delays, made its appearance; and though but partially his comedy of the "Good-natured Man" at length successful on its first representation, it justified the expectations of his friends, and has since kept possession of the stage. But the author (who had gone to the theatre in a new suit of clothes, manuConcealing his chamortified and disappointed. factured for the occasion, value, 81. 2s. 7d.) was It was Goldsmith's fortune to achieve success grin, he went to the Literary Club, and chatted to late in life. He was nearly forty when the publi- some of its members; but he afterwards confessed cation of the "Traveller" raised him to distinction that when all were gone, except Johnson, he burst Beginning," observes out a-crying, and protested he would never write It is characteristic of Goldsmith that he in the world of letters. Mr. Forster, "with not even the choice which again. Fielding admits was his, of hackney writer or afterwards, in his guileless simplicity of heart, hackney coachman, he has fought his way at last told this story to a large company at dinner, when But he bears upon Johnson was present, who cried out in astonishto consideration and esteem. him the scars of his twelve years' conflict; of the ment, "I thought all this had been a secret bemean sorrows through which he has passed, and tween you and me, and I am sure I would not have of the cheap indulgences he has sought relief and said anything about it for the world."-" It is sin Again:"His reputation had been gular, however," observes Washington Irving "that Goldsmith, who thus in conversation could help from." silently widening, in the midst and in despite of his humble drudgery; his poem, his novel, his keep nothing to himself, should be the author of a essays, had imperceptibly enlarged the circle of maxim which would inculcate the most thorough his admirers; and he was somewhat suddenly sub-dissimulation. Men of the world,' says he, in one of the papers of the Bee, maintain that the How often is this jected to the social exactions that are levied on As we come to the last period of true end of speech is not so much to express our literary fame." Goldsmith's life it is necessary to bear all this in wants as to conceal them.' mind, because it accounts for most of the foibles, quoted as one of the subtle remarks of the finefollies, and indiscretions that have been laid to his witted Talleyrand!" charge. In his days of penury he had not been very scrupulous about his acquaintances. As his fortunes improved he continued easily accessible, fond of conviviality, and careless of the world's opinion. As soon as he obtained a footing in polite society he did not discard his old associates, or forsake his former haunts. His delight was in free-and-easy clubs; particularly in a certain club meeting on Wednesday evenings at the Globe TavA countryman named Glover ern in Fleet street. once accompanied him to this congenial resort, and was shocked to hear the familiar tone in which Goldsmith was addressed by some of the humbler members. A wealthy pig-butcher, especially, was singularly free and easy. Raising his glass, with

"The Good-natured Man," however, had a tolerable run, and produced its author no less a sum than 4007. He now felt disposed to launch out into a more luxurious style of living, and he accordingly invested his money in the purchase of the lease of a set of chambers on the second floor in No. 2, Brick Court, Middle Temple. This was his last residence-the last of the local habitations which his genius has hallowed to all posterity. Sir William Blackstone, the author of the Commentaries, had chambers immediately under him, and it is said, often complained of the rackets and He occa revels overhead. Although, like Johnson, fond of town life, Goldsmith appears to have had a true taste and relish for country scenery.

sionally took strolls in the neighborhood of Lon- | Goldsmith, whilst sight-seeing in the French me don, (which he called making "a shoemaker's tropolis, will provoke a smile, especially if we holiday;") and when hardly pressed by the book-consider that the Jessamy Bride was probably sellers, he would take a quiet cottage a few miles present and beheld his discomfiture. "Being with from town, for the purpose of uninterrupted labor. It was thus that the "Deserted Village" was written. Strolling among the green lanes and hedgerows in the environs of London, he relieved his "prosaic toils" by the composition of this charming poem. When we recollect the circumstances under which it was penned, we need not wonder at the melancholy tone that pervades it. | falling short, descended into the water, to the great

It was written under the influence of a sacred sorrow; in those moods of melancholy which called forth all the poet's tenderness, and imparted a more than wonted softness to the delineations of his pen. His brother Henry, the supposed original of the village preacher, was just dead. If his poetical portrait be correct, he was a genuine Goldsmith-a true scion of that gentle and gener

ous race.

Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride,
And e'en his failings leaned to virtue's side:
But in his duty prompt at every call,

He watched and wept, he prayed and felt for all;
And, as a bird each fond endearment tries
To tempt its new-fledged offspring to the skies,
He tried each art, reproved each dull delay,
Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way.

While the memory of such a brother was yet fresh in his heart, and his grief was green, it no doubt occurred to Goldsmith to hand down his blameless career to posterity, as a graceful tribute agree with Washington Irving, "that the whole character seems traced, as it were, in an expiatory spirit; as if, conscious of his own wandering restlessness, he sought to humble himself at the shrine of excellence which he had not been able to practise."

of fraternal affection. And we further

a party at Versailles, viewing the water-works, a question arose among the gentlemen present, whether the distance from whence they stood to one of the little islands, was within the compass of a leap. Goldsmith maintained the affirmative; but, being bantered on the subject, and remembering his former powers as a youth, attempted the leap, but,

amusement of the company." With the Horneck he must have spent many delightful days. He was a frequent guest at their country seat at Barton, in Suffolk; they appreciated his character, and he was ever ready to add to their fund of harmless amusement. We may form some idea of the playful badinage and humorous sallies that enlivened this intercourse by perusing the following lines which occur, among others, in a humorous letter indited by the poet to Little Comedy, (then become Mrs. Bunbury.) The ladies, it appears, would often invite him to play at loo, the fashionable game of the day, and, affecting to be his advisers, get him into all sorts of difficulties:

Now, ladies, I ask, if law-matters you 're skilled in,
Whether crimes such as yours should not come
before Fielding;

For giving advice that is not worth a straw,
May well be called picking of pockets in law;
And picking of pockets, with which I now charge ye,
Is, by quinto Elizabeth, death without clergy.
What justice, when both to the Old Bailey brought!
By the gods, I'll enjoy it, though 'tis but in
thought!
Both are placed at the bar, with all proper decorum,
With bunches of fennel and nosegays before 'em ;
Both cover their faces with mobs and all that,
But the judge bids them angrily take off their hat
When uncovered, a buzz of enquiry runs round,
Pray what are their crimes?"-" They 've been
"But pray who 've they pilfered?"-"A doctor, I
pilfering found."

hear."

"What, yon solemn-faced, odd-looking man that
stands near?"-

"The same. ."-" What a pity, how does it sur-
Two handsomer culprits I never set eyes on.”
prise one!
Then their friends all come round me with cring

ing and leering,

To melt me to pity, and soften my swearing.
First, Sir Charles advances, with phrases well
strung,

About this time an interesting episode enlivened Goldsmith's literary life. At the house of Sir Joshua Reynolds he made the acquaintance of a Mrs. Horneck-a widow lady, with a son in the Guards, and two beautiful, amiable, and accomplished daughters. The whole family took a decided fancy to the whimsical poet, and he in return was not insensible to the charms of the daughters. The elder of these young ladies was known among her friends by the name of Little Comedy, and the younger (whose heart by the way was still unengaged) had received the sobriquet of the Jessamy Bride. It has been hinted that the poor author, to whom nature had denied the fascinations of person which are said to form the principal recommendation to the favor of the fair sex, was surprised into an attachment to the Jessamy Bride, which, though commenced in sportive familiarity, at length assumed a serious aspect. It is certain that his inti-"What signifies handsome, when people are macy with the Hornecks had an effect upon his tailor's bills, and that, to render his awkward figure more attractive, he arrayed it in the costliest raiments of the day. In the summer of 1770, he made an excursion with his new friends to Paris. The following anecdote, which has been related of

"Consider, dear doctor, the girls are but young.
"The younger the worse," I return him again;
"It shows that their habits are all dyed in
But then they're so handsome, one's bosom it
grain."-
grieves.

thieves?"

"But where is your justice? their cases are hard."

"What signifies justice? I want the reward."

This was society for which Goldsmith was adapted, and in which he felt himself at home.

John

cumstances had prevented its appearance.
son, Burke, and Reynolds, and a host of Gold-
smith's distinguished friends were present, and
joined in the hearty laugh which was kept up
throughout the performance. Johnson's criticism
on this brilliant production will be long remem-
bered for its truth, as well as for its kindness

for many years," he said, "that has so much exhilarated an audience; that has answered so much the great end of comedy-making an audience merry."

He had no taste for stately grandeur; nor did he particularly distinguish himself in highly intellectual circles. Above all things he loathed the pompous Pecksniffs of the world, who, by dint of assurance and assumption, sometimes succeed in raising a commanding reputation. In the "Citizen of the World" he has given us a graphic picture of " a great man," from the mouth of his Chinese to the sensitive author; "I know of no comedy philosopher, which is worth quoting:-"I was yesterday invited by a gentleman to dinner, who promised that our entertainment should consist of a haunch of venison, a turtle, and a great man. I came, according to appointment. The In the commencement of the year 1774, Goldvenison was fine, the turtle good, but the great smith was surrounded by an accumulation of man insupportable. The moment I ventured to work, that would have tasked the energies of the speak I was at once contradicted with a snap. I strongest mind. He was behindhand with the attempted, by a second and third assault, to re- booksellers, and deeply in debt. His constitution trieve my lost reputation, but was still beat back was undermined partly by town dissipation, with confusion. I was resolved to attack him once partly, perhaps, by early privations. He was more from entrenchment, and turned the conver-over-worked and ill at ease; but he would not sation on the government of China; but even here give way. He rallied himself as well as he he asserted, snapped, and contradicted as before. could, and gave some entertainments in his chamHeavens thought I, this man pretends to know bers to Johnson and other friends. At length, on China even better than myself. I looked round the 25th of March, he was taken ill. With charto see who was on my side; but every eye was acteristic imprudence, he persisted in dosing himfixed in admiration on the great man; I there- self with James' powders, (a medicine he had fore, at last, thought proper to sit silent, and act been in the habit of taking,) notwithstanding the the pretty gentleman during the ensuing conver- expostulations of his medical attendants. He sation." continued to grow weaker, and about half-past four on Monday morning, the 4th of April, 1774, he expired, in the forty-sixth year of his age.

He

To all his literary friends Goldsmith's blundering simplicity was a source of infinite amusement. His want of tact was everywhere apparent. One affecting incident remains to be narrated. would tell stories in the wrong place, and retail" There was one mourner," writes Washington jokes of which he had forgotten the point. We find one or two amusing instances in Mr. Irving's biography. "Beauclerc was extremely apt to circulate stories at his expense, founded perhaps on some trivial incident, but dressed up with the embellishments of his sarcastic brain. One relates to a venerable dish of peas, served up at Sir Joshua's table, which should have been green, but were any other color. A wag suggested to Goldsmith, in a whisper, that they should be sent to Hammersmith, as that was the way to turn'em-green (Turnham Green). Goldsmith, delighted with the pun, endeavored to repeat it at Burke's table, but missed the point. That is the way to make 'em green,' said he. Nobody laughed. He perceived he was at fault. 'I mean that is the road to turn 'em green.' A dead pause, and a stare; whereupon, adds Beauclerc, he started up disconcerted, and abruptly left the table.' ** On another occasion, the poet and Beauclerc were seated, at the theatre, next to Lord Shelburne, the minister, whom political writers thought fit to nick-name Malagrida. Do you know,' said Goldsmith, to his lordship, in the course of conversation, that I never could conceive why they call you Malagrida, for Malagrida was a very good sort of man.'

999

Irving, "whose enthusiasm for his memory, could it have been foreseen, might have soothed the bitterness of death. After the coffin had been screwed down, a lock of his hair was requested for a lady, a particular friend, who wished to preserve it as a remembrance. It was the beautiful Mary Horneck, the Jessamy Bride. The coffin was opened again, and a lock of hair cut off which she cherished to her dying day. The lady," continues the biographer, "survived almost to the present day. Hazlitt met her at Northcote's painting room, about twenty years since, as Mrs. Gwyn, the widow of a General Gwyn of the army. She was at that time upwards of seventy years of age. Still, he said, she was beautiful, beautiful even in years. After she was gone, Hazlitt remarked how handsome she still was. I do not know,' said Northcote, why she is so kind as to come to see me, except that I am the last link in the chain that connects her with all those she most esteemed when young-Johnson, Reynolds, Goldsmith-and remind her of the most delightful period of her life.'" Mrs. Gwyn, so well known as Mary Horneck, and the Jessamy Bride, died in 1840.

6

Having accompanied the biographers of Goldsmith through the principal scenes of his cheqIn 1773, the comedy of She stoops to Conquer;' uered life, we may, perhaps, be allowed a conor, the Mistakes of a Night, was produced with cluding remark. There are few writers, it will triumphant success. It must have been written be admitted, who have achieved a wider popularnearly two years before, but many perplexing cir- ity, or who have exercised and maintained a more

general and permanent influence on the English | What has thy spirit bowed

intellectual character than the author of the In this thy winter?-what majestic cloud? "Deserted Village." At every stage of life he Vision!-which hides thy proud heart's dearest

66

dream,

Which makes reality unearthly seem,
And the true efforts of thy life dost shroud.
Thus fall the flowers that bloomed so fresh and fair,
All perishing in air.
That overcomes men's minds, and wills to be
Ah, the sad verity
The shadow o'er their paths of love and life,
The slayer of the fame whose ways are strife,
Where legions run the race in company.
O, certain light of truth, thy rays dispel
Hopes erst invincible!

Thus fled the mystic faith

That is art's incense and its vital breath;

is a friend and monitor. If, as his biographers have suggested, he was the author of " Goody Two Shoes," and other nursery rhymes published by his frequent employer, Mr. Francis Newbury -and there is nothing unreasonable in the supposition that these drolleries, slight and trivial as they may appear, were really written by wise and thoughtful men-his sportive productions amuse our earliest infancy. His histories of England, Greece, and Rome, still form the basis of the historical knowledge communicated in hundreds of our schools; and if these histories are not remarkable for any deep research, their clear and lucid style admirably adapts them for the pur-Thus died La Francia as some star outshone, poses of instruction. His selected essays, the Over whose sphere a brighter light had grown, Vicar of Wakefield," and the "Citizen of the And in the full eclipse had welcomed death, World," are among the first volumes of English Dimmed by the lustre of another's sheen, And fading all unseen. classics which, in youth and early manhood, are commended to our attention, and they never fail Yet is it well to die? to leave a permanent impression on the mind. In inaturer years they are recurred to with pleasure, and maxims and observations in daily use are taken from them. And when the meridian of life is passed, when the poetry of passion has lost its charm, and the mind is more readily attracted by sedate images and tranquil beauty, the "Deserted Village," and the "Traveller," are welcomed as favored friends, and referred to as models of all that is pure, correct, and good. To every stage and condition of life we maintain that Goldsmith has been a liberal benefactor. But, above all, he has left us the example of a life which, though defaced and deformed by many errors, was redeemed by so many virtues that we should be justified in rejoicing that he had lived even if he had

To let life's purpose yield the victory;
To die, and leave each passionate desire,
As some new tones half trembling on the lyre,
Or bud that folds its cup all silently;
Or wonder for an hour.
To die, and pass away like some frail flower

Faint not upon your way,
You who would hold o'er human hearts time's sway;
Is it not meet that those who yearn to wear
The cares and turmoils of life's working day,
Fame's immortality, should fairly bear
That thus when night proclaims her sable reign,
Their wishes prove not vain?

NEGRO-ENGLISH BIBLE.-A paper published in the Christian Examiner gives the following statement respecting this translation of the Bible. The version of the New Testament, printed by the British and Foreign Bible Society for the English ne groes of Surinam, is a curiosity in its way. These negroes have no distinct language, but speak a strange lingo compounded of African words, or clipped and softened English words, and of violently treated Portuguese words. The society brought upon itself smart censures and much ridi cule for the seemingly irreverent and ludicrous character of the volume they had published. The whole edition, save a few copies, was sent to Surinam. These copies are becoming scares, and at the sale of the Duke of Sussex's Library, one brought 37. 10s., though its original cost could not have exceeded two or three shillings. The annexed extracts, literally translated, will give a specimen as little offensive as any that can be found in the book. The word virgin is rendered wan njo ewenjo, i. e., one new wench.

The following verses are from Matthew v. :— "1. But when Jesus see the people, he go after one mountain top, he go sit down, then disciple for him come close by after him.

2. And he opened him mouth and learned them and talk.

Good is them, these the pretty in heart, because God's country is for them.

3. Good is it for them, these the sorry in heart, because heart for them so cheery."

"I see the great artist, as always happens, has bosom, "you have no carriage, my angel; no a feeling heart," said Josephine, her sympathy playthings-no toys of any kind. For him abun-aroused for the poor woman. "If Napoleon did dance, pleasure, every joy of his age; for thee, but know the destitution of this child, born the desolation, suffering, poverty, hunger! What is same day, the same hour with his son! Be with Ire that he should be happier than you, darling me to-morrow morning at nine o'clock; we will ? Both of you born the same day, the same hour! together visit this poor creature. ,, And the next I, as young as his mother, and loving you as fondly morning at nine o'clock Redouté was at Malmaias she loves him. But you have now no father, son; and an hour after, Josephine, undeterred by my poor babe; you have no father!" the dark, narrow, muddy passage, and the equally dark, damp stairs, increasing in steepness every step, had entered the wretched apartment, utterly bare of furniture, in the fifth story, inhabited by the widow of Charles Blanger.