at some distance, affecting not to join in the least in the eager curiosity of the company. At length, however, the frankness and simplicity of his natural character prevailed. He sprung from the sofa, advanced to Johnson, and in a kind of flutter, from imagining himself in the situation he had just been hearing described, exclaimed, « Well, you acquitted yourself in this conversation better than I should have done; for I should have bowed and stammered through the whole of it.">

On another occasion, during an interesting argument carried on by Johnson, Mayo, and Toplady, at the table of Messrs Dilly, the booksellers, 'Goldsmith sat in restless agitation, from a wish to get in and shine. Finding himself excluded, he had taken his hat to go away, but remained for some time with it in his hand, like a gamester who, at the close of a long night, lingers for a little while, to see if he can have a favourable opening to finish with success. Once when he was beginning to speak, he found himself overpowered by the loud voice of Johnson, who was at the opposite end of the table, and did not perceive Goldsmith's attempt. Thus disappointed of his wish to obtain the attention of the company, Goldsmith in a passion threw down his hat, looking angrily at Johnson, and exclaiming in a bitter tone, « Take it." When Toplady was going to speak, Johnson uttered some sound, which led Goldsmith to think that he was beginning again, and taking the words from Toplady. Upon which he seized this opportunity of venting his own spleen, under the pretext of supporting another person: « Sir," said he to Johnson, «< the gentleman has heard you patiently for an hour: pray allow us now to hear him.» Johnson replied, «Sir, I was not interrupting the gentleman; I was only giving him a signal of my attention. Sir, you are impertinent." Goldsmith made no reply. Johnson, Boswell, and Mr Langton, towards the evening, adjourned to the club, where they found Burke, Garrick, and some other members, and amongst them their friend Goldsmith, who sat silently brooding over Johnson's reprimand to him after dinner. Johnson perceived this, and said aside to some of them, «I'll make Goldsmith forgive me;» and then called to him in a loud voice,

« Dr Goldsmith,-something passed to-day where you and I dined; I ask your pardon.» Goldsmith answered placidly, « It must be much from you, sir, that I take ill." And so at once the difference was over; they were on as easy terms as ever, and Goldsmith rattled away as usual.'

The tincture of envy thus conspicuous in the disposition of our author, was accompanied by another characteristic feature, more innocent but withal exceedingly ridiculous. He was vain of imaginary qualifications, and had an incessant desire of being conspicuous in company; and this was the occasion of his sometimes appearing to such disadvantage as one should hardly have supposed possible in a man of his genius. When his literary reputation had risen deservedly high, and his society was much courted, his jealousy of the great attention paid to Johnson was more strikingly apparent. One evening, in a circle of wits, he found fault with Boswell for talking of Johnson as entitled to the honour of unquestionable superiority. « Sir," said he, « you are for making a monarchy of what should be a republic.»

He was still more mortified, when, talking in a company with fluent vivacity, and, as he flattered himself, to the admiration of all who were present, a German who sat next him, and perceived Johnson rolling himself, as if about to speak, suddenly stopped him, saying, « Stay, stay; Toctor Shonson is going to say something." This was very provoking to one so irritable as Goldsmith, who frequently mentioned it with strong expressions of indignation.

There is thus much to be said, however, for the envy of Goldsmith. It was rarely excited but on occasions of mere literary competition; and, perhaps, appeared much more conspicuous in him than other men, because he had less art, and never attempted to conceal it. Mr Boswell used to defend him against Dr Johnson for this fault, on the ground of his frank and open avowal of it on all occasions; but Johnson had the best of the argument. << He talked of it to be sure often enough," said the latter, « but he had so much of it that he could not conceal it. Now, sir, what a man avows, he is not ashamed to think; though many a man thinks what he is ashamed to avow. We are all

envious naturally; but by checking envy, we get the better of it. So we are all thieves naturally; a child always tries to get at what it wants the nearest way: by good instructions and good habits this is cured, till a man has not even an inclination to seize what is another's; has no struggle with himself about it." But, after all, if ever envy was entitled to be called innocent, it certainly was so in the person of Goldsmith. Whatever of this kind appeared in his conduct was but a momentary sensation, which he knew not like other men how to disguise or conceal. Rarely did it influence the general tenor of his conduct, and, it is believed, was never once known to have embittered his heart.

While Goldsmith was occupied with his comedy of the « Good-natured Man," he was, as usual, busily employed in the compilation of various publications for the booksellers, particularly a series of histories for the instruction of young readers. These were, his « History of Rome,» in 2 vols. 8vo. and the «History of England," in 4 vols. 8vo. The « History of Greece," in 2 vols. 8vo. published under his name after his death, cannot with certainty be ascribed to his pen. For the « History of England," Davies the bookseller contracted to pay him 500l. and for an abridgment of the Roman history, the sum of fifty guineas.1

The articles of agreement relative to these works between the bookseller and Goldsmith having been preserved, we quote them for the gratification of our reader's curiosity, especially as they were drawn up by the Doctor himself.

« MEMORANDUM.

« Russell-street, Covent-Garden.

* It is agreed between Oliver Goldsmith, M. B., on the one hand, and Thomas Davies, bookseller, of Russell-street, Covent-Garden, on the other, that Oliver Goldsmith shall write for Thomas Davies, a History of England, from the birth of the British Empire, to the death of George the II., in four volumes, octavo, of the size and letter of the Roman History, written by Oliver Goldsmith. The said History of England shall be written and compiled in the space of two years from the date hereof. And when the said History is written and delivered in manuscript, the printer giving his opinion that the quantity above mentioned is completed, that then Oliver Goldsmith shall be paid by Thomas Davies the sum of 5ool. sterling, for

VOL. I.

F

These historical compilations possess all the ease, grace, and simplicity, peculiar to the general style of their author, and are well calculated to attract young readers by the graces of composition. But the more advanced student of history must resort to other sources for information.

In the History of England, in particular, there are several mis-statements; and one instance may be given from his account of a remarkable occurrence in the affairs of his own country, to which it might have been expected he would have paid more than ordinary attention. This is to be found in his narrative of the famous siege of Londonderry, in 1689, sustained against the French army during a hundred and four days, after the city was found to be without provisions for little more than a week, and had besides been abandoned by the military commanders as utterly untenable. For this memorable defence the country was indebted to the courage, conduct, and talents of the Rev. George Walker, a clergyman who happened to take refuge in the city after it was abandoned by the military. Under the direction of Walker, assisted by two officers accidentally in the place, the defence was conducted with so much skill, courage, and perseverance, and the citizens displayed such valour,

« It is agreed between Oliver Goldsmith, M.B., and Thomas Davies, of CoventGarden, bookseller, that Oliver Goldsmith shall abridge, for Thomas Davies, the book entitled Goldsmith's Roman History, in two volumes, 8vo, into one volume in 12mo, so as to fit it for the use of such as will not be at the expense of that in 8vo. For the abridging of the said history, and for putting his name thereto, said Thomas Davies shall pay Oliver Goldsmith fifty guineas; to be paid him on the abridgment and delivering of the copy. As witness our hands.

« OLIVER GOLDSMITH.

THOMAS DAVIES.">

I

patience, and fortitude, under innumerable hardships and privations, that the city was finally saved. For his services on this occasion Mr Walker, who belonged to the Established Church, was afterwards created Bishop of Dromore by King William; but his military zeal prompted him to volunteer his services at the battle of the Boyne, where he was unfortunately killed. Of this extraordinary character Goldsmith takes a very slight and rather disrespectful notice, stating him to have been a dissenting minister, which he was not, and neglecting to record either his promotion or his death.2

Goldsmith, besides his regular employment in the compilation of these histories, had now all the other business of an author by profession. Either through friendship or for money, but oftener from charity to the needy or unsuccessful of his brethren, he was frequently engaged in the composition of prefaces, dedications, and introductions to the performances of other writers. These exhibit ingenious proofs of his ready talent at general writing, and for the most part give a much better display of the subjects treated of than could have been done by their own authors. But in this view he is rather to be considered as an advocate pleading the cause of another, than

A curious journal which Mr Walker had kept of all the occurrences during the siege, was published at that period, in 4to, and was afterwards republished by the late Dr Brown, author of the Estimate, etc. One very providential circumstance happened to the besieged. Being reduced by the extremity of famine to eat every kind of unwholesome food, they were dying in great numbers of the bloody flux; but the accidental discovery of some concealed barrels of starch and tallow, relieved their hunger, and cured the dysentery at the same time.

2 Our author's inaccuracy, with regard to Mr Walker, was corrected in the following letter addressed to him by Mr Woolsey, of Dundalk : « To Dr Goldsmith.Sir, I beg leave to acquaint you, there is a mistake in your abridgment of the History of England, respecting Dr Walker, viz. 'one Walker, a dissenting minister.

« I venture to assure you, Mr Walker was a clergyman of the Established Church of Ireland, who was appointed Bishop of Dromore by King William, for his services at Derry, but was unfortunately killed at the battle of the Boyne; which I hope you will be pleased to insert in future editions of your late book.

The Duke of Schomberg was certainly killed in passing the river Boyne. I am, Sir, with great respect, your most obedient humble servant,