and brilliant career. In 1704, he and the Duke of Marlborough defeated the French at the battle of Blenheim. 125. 1. 27. Rabelais, François (1495-1553): a humorous French satirist. His chief work is a romance, The Pleasant Story of the Giant Gargantua and His Son Pantagruel, in which he satirizes all classes of society, especially monks. Coleridge says, "I class Rabelais with the great creative minds, Shakspeare, Dante, Cervantes." 127. 1. 29. Forsitan et nostrum nomen miscebitur istis: "perhaps our name also will be mingled with these." 127. 1. 30. Temple Bar: a famous stone gateway, which formerly stood before the Temple in London at the junction of Fleet Street and the Strand. It marked the boundary between the City proper and Westminster. The heads of executed traitors used to be exposed here. 137. 1. 14. tetrastich: a stanza of four lines. "Here Goldsmith lies, O ye, who deeds of eld, Or Nature's works, or sacred song regard, With reverence tread; for he in all excelled: Historian, and Philosopher, and Bard." -Croker's Translation. 146. 1. 11. Cervantes, Miguel de (1547-1616) of Spain: the author of Don Quixote de la Mancha. 156. 1. 21. Thomas Warton (1728-1790): an eminent English critic and poet, and brother of Joseph Warton. He was professor of poetry and later professor of history at Oxford. He made several contributions to Dr. Johnson's Idler and published an edition of Milton's minor poems. 161. 1. 14. The Beaux Stratagem: a comedy, by George Farquhar (1678-1707). 175. 1. 4. Rowley's poetry: Thomas Chatterton (17521770): an English poet, celebrated for his genius, precocity, and literary impostures, was born in Bristol. He wrote poems which he professed to derive from ancient manuscripts found in the muniment-room of Redcliffe Church. He ascribed the poems to Rowley, a monk of the fifteenth century. The poems created a literary sensation. He went to London, became despondent, and finally died by suicide. Ossian: a semi-fabulous Scottish bard and hero of the third century. A pretended translation of his poems, published by James McPherson in 1765, gave rise to a spirited controversy among English men of letters, concerning the genuineness of these productions. 178. 1. 18. John Wilkes (1727-1797): a celebrated English politician and good classical scholar. He was a member of Parliament from Aylesbury, and a strenuous opponent of the American war. 184. 1. 15. Birnam wood. See Macbeth, Act V., sc. 3. 187. 1. 8. Olivarii Goldsmith. Of Oliver Goldsmith A Poet, Naturalist and Historian, And touched nothing that he did not adorn; Whether smiles were to be moved Or tears, A powerful yet gentle master; The fidelity of friends, And the veneration of readers, Have by this monument honored the memory. He was born in Ireland, At a place called Pallas, [In the parish] of Forney [and county] of Longford, Educated at [the University of] Dublin, And died in London, 4th April, 1774. 188. 1. 2. jeu d'esprit: literally, a play of the mind; a clever little performance or contrivance. 189. 1. 3. Round Robin: We, the circumscribers, having read with great pleasure an intended epitaph for the monument of Dr. Goldsmith, which considered abstractedly appears to be, for elegant composition and masterly style, in every respect worthy of the pen of its learned author, are yet of opinion, that the character of the deceased as a writer, particularly as a poet, is, perhaps, not delineated with all the exactness which Dr. Johnson is capable of giving it.We therefore, with deference to his superior judgment, humbly request, that he would at least take the trouble of revising it, and of making such additions and alterations, as he shall think proper, upon a farther perusal. But if we might venture to express our wishes, they would lead us to request, that he would write the epitaph in English, rather than in Latin as we think that the memory of so eminent an English writer ought to be perpetuated in the language to which his works are likely to be so lasting an ornament, which we also know to have been the opinion of the late doctor himself. Jos. Warton Edm. Burke Tho. Franklin Art. Chamier G. Colman Wm. Varkell Signed, J. Reynolds W. Forbes T. Barnard R. B. Sheridan P. Metcalfe E. Gibbon 193. 1. 27. Sheridan, Richard Brinsley Butler (1751-1816): a celebrated Irish orator and dramatist, born in Dublin; the author of The Rivals, The School for Scandal, and The Critic; a conspicuous orator in Parliament. 204. 1. 10. dulcedo: affection. natale solum: native land. 205. 1. 15. Apocrypha: a collection of fourteen books, accepted as canonical by the Roman Catholic Church, but not included in the Hebrew scriptures, and generally rejected by the Protestant churches. 212. 1. 27. Ranelagh: formerly a popular resort by the Thames in Chelsea, London. In 1690, Richard, Earl of Ranelagh, built a mansion and laid out fine gardens, which, in 1742, became a proprietary place of entertainment. A building was erected for concerts, and the gardens were a favorite resort of fashionable society. Here were held balls, masquerades, exhibitions of fire-works, regattas, and other forms of amusement. 214. 1. 16. In bello non licet bis errare: "In war it is not permitted to make a mistake twice." 218. 1. 20. John Wesley (1703-1791): a distinguished religious reformer, and founder of the Society of Methodists, born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England. His brother, Charles, and George Whitefield, were associated with him in his ministry, all spending some time in the colony of Georgia. 218. 1. 30. Dunning, John (1731-1783): an eminent English lawyer and orator, and member of Parliament. 220. 1. 4. Mrs. Montague, Elizabeth (1720-1800): a celebrated English lady; the friend of Burke, Johnson, Goldsmith, Reynolds, Mrs. Elizabeth Carter and Hannah More. She is said to have founded the Blue-Stocking Club. 220. 1. 6. Mr. Gibbon, Edward (1737-1794): a distinguished English historian, known chiefly for The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. 220. 1. 21. Minorca: one of the Balearic Islands, in the Mediterranean, belonging to Spain. 224. 1. 27. "Poor Tom's a-cold': See King Lear, Act III., sc. 4. 225. 1. 18. Sir William Scott (1745-1836): an English judge, member of the Literary Club, and an authority on international law. 226. 1. 30. Peg Woffington (1718-1760): a celebrated Irish actress, born in Dublin. 235. 1. 3. Vidit et erubuit lympha judica Deum: "The crystal water blushed when she saw the Master." 236. 1. 29. Non equidem invideo; miror magis: "I feel more admiration than envy." 238. 1. 9. Dr. Percy Thomas (1728-1811): an eminent English scholar. His reputation rests on Reliques of Ancient English Poetry. 241. 1. 3. The Beggar's Opera: by John Gay. It appeared in 1728, and was especially popular. 241. 1. 22. un politique aux choux et aux raves: "a politician, even down to cabbages and turnips"; translated freely, a politician, even as to the most trivial details. 241. 1. 28. Omne ignotum pro magnifico est: is unknown is thought to be magnificent." "Whatever 242. 1. 24. Allan Ramsay (1685-1758): a Scottish poet; the author of The Gentle Shepherd. 245. 1. 14. Nestor: a Grecian hero, reputed for his courage, wisdom and eloquence. 256. 1. 31. hob or nob: to clink glasses together in convivial drinking. 257. 1. 21. Whitefield, George (1714-1770): an eminent and eloquent English preacher; the intimate friend of Charles and John Wesley. 257. 1. 29. Giant's causeway: a basaltic formation on the northern coast of Ireland, extending into the sea for about 700 feet. 259. 1. 15. Queeney: Esther Thrale. 261. 1. 19. Fielding, Sir John (?-1780): the brother of Henry Fielding, the novelist, and justice of the county of Middlesex. 269. 1. 13. Mr. Cumberland, Richard (1732-1811): an English dramatic author and essayist; he published a series of essays under the title of The Observer. 271. 1. 25. Vestris (1729-1808): a famous Italian dancer, a ballet-master at the Grand Opera in Paris; was popularly styled "The God of Dancing." 294. 1. 9. Maecenas (70 B. C.-8 B. C.): a celebrated patron of literature at Rome; the intimate friend of Horace and Virgil. 319. 1. 29. Horace Walpole, fourth Earl of Orford (17171797): a famous literary gossip, amateur, wit, and one of the greatest letter-writers of the century. He expended much time and money on his villa at Strawberry Hill. 328. 1. 8. "Can'st thou not'': See Macbeth, Act. V., sc. 3. 329. 1. 8. Te teneam moriens deficiente manu: "My dying hand clings to thine.' |