latter book was for a long time attributed to George Lord Lyttelton.

In the following year he took chambers on the upper story of the Library stair-case in the Inner Temple, and began to live in a genteel style. Still, however, he was little known, except among the booksellers, till the year 1765, when he produced his Poem called "The Traveller; or, A Prospect of Society," which had obtained high commendation from Dr. Johnson, who declared, " that there had not been so fine a Poem since the time of Pope;" yet such was Goldsmith's diffidence,. that, though he had completed it some years before, he had not courage enough to publish, till urged to it by Johnson's suggestions. This poem heightened his literary character with the booksellers, and introduced him to several persons of superior rank and talents, as Lord Nugent (afterwards Earl of Clare), Mr. Burke, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Dr. Nugent, Mr. Bennet Langton, Mr. Topham Beauclerc, &c. and he was elected one of the first members of "The Literary Club," which had been just instituted by Johnson, Burke, and

Sir Joshua, and met at the Turk's-head, Gerard-street, Soho, every Friday evening.

His pathetic ballad of "The Hermit," which was also published in 1765, recommended him to the Countess (afterwards Duchess) of Northumberland, who was a generous patroness of merit. In the following year his "Vicar of Wakefield" was printed, and universally read and admired.

His reputation being now fairly established as a novelist, a poet, and a critic, Goldsmith turned his thoughts to the drama, and set about his comedy called "The Good-natured Man." This he first offered to Garrick, who, after a long fluctuation between doubt and encouragement, at length declined bringing it forward at Drury-lane theatre; it was therefore taken to Covent-garden, accepted by Mr. Colman, and presented for the first time on the 29th of January, 1768. It was acted nine times; and by the profits of the author's three third-nights, with the sale of the copy-right, a clear 500l. was produced.

With this, and some money which he had

reserved out of the produce of a "Roman History," in 2 vols. 8vo. and other works, he was enabled to descend from his attic. story in the Inner Temple, and to purchase for 400l. and furnish elegantly, a spacious set of chambers on the first floor, at No. 2, Brick-court, Middle Temple.

On the establishment of the Royal Academy, in 1769, Sir Joshua Reynolds recommended Goldsmith to his Majesty for the Honorary Professorship of History, which was graciously conferred on him. In the following year he produced that highlyfinished poem called "The Deserted Village." Previous to its publication, we are told, the bookseller (Mr. Griffin, of Catharinestreet, Strand) had given him a note of a hundred guineas for the copy. This circumstance Goldsmith mentioned soon afterwards to a friend, who observed that it was a large sum for so small a performance. "In truth," replied Goldsmith, "I think so too; it is near five shillings a couplet, which is much more than the honest man can afford, and, indeed, more than any modern poetry is

worth. I have not been easy since I received it; I will, therefore, go back, and return him his note;" which he actually did but the sale was so rapid, that the bookseller soon paid him the hundred guineas, with proper acknowledgments for the generosity

of his conduct.

Soon after the appearance of the Deserted Village, our author paid a tribute to the memory of Dr. Parnell, in a Life prefixed to a new edition of his " Poems on several Occasions." In the year 1771, he produced his "History of England from the earliest Times to the Death of George II." in 4 vols. 8vo. for which Mr. Thomas Davies, the bookseller, paid him 5007.

The Earl of Lisburne, one day at a dinner of the Royal Academicians, lamented to Goldsmith that he should neglect the Muses, to compile histories and write novels, instead of penning poetry, with which he was sure to charm his readers. "My Lord," replied our author," in courting the Muses I should starve; but by my other labours I eat, drink, wear good clothes, and enjoy the luxuries of life."

Goldsmith had, besides his regular works, much of the other business of an author by profession; such as penning Prefaces and Introductions to the books of other writers; some of these have been published among his prose works; but, no doubt, many remain at this day unknown.

His second dramatic effort, being a comedy called "She Stoops to Conquer; or, The Mistakes of a Night," was first presented at Covent-garden theatre, March 15, 1773, and received with an applause fully adequate to the author's sanguine hopes, and contrary to the expectations of Mr. Colman, who had not consented to receive the piece but at the earnest and reiterated instances of many friends. What was called sentimental comedy had at that time got an unaccountable hold of the public taste; Kelly was subserving this unbritish propensity by his "False Delicacy," &c. and Goldsmith's piece (which was designed by him to bring back the town to a relish of humour) being certainly in the opposite extreme, and hardly any thing else than a farce of five acts instead of two, Col