delight by all ranks, celebri y and patronage fol- of him in every page; we grow intimate with him lowed the applause with which it was received, as a man, and learn to love him as we read. A and Goldsmith, so far as regarded fame, was at last general benevolence glows throughout this poem. at the height of his ambition. It breathes the liberal spirit of a true citizen of the The great moral object of the "Traveller" is to world. And yet how beautifully does it inculcate reconcile man with his lot. The poet maintains and illustrate that local attachment, that preference that happiness is equally distributed among man- to native land, which, in spite of every disadvankind, and that a different good, either furnished by tage of soil or climate, pleads so eloquently to every nature or provided by art, renders the blessings of bosom; which calls out with maternal voice from all nations even. In pursuing his subject he takes the sandy desert or the stormy rock, appealing iran imaginary station on the Alps, and passes his resistibly to the heart in the midst of foreign luxuview over the countries that lie spread out beneath ries and delights, and calling the wanderer home. him, noticing those only, however, through which| When the "Traveller" was published, Dr. the author had personally travelled. Johnson wrote a review of it for one of the journals, He draws a picture of each in succession, de- and pronounced it the finest poem that had appearscribing from his own observation their scenery ed since the time of Pope. This was no cold praise, and manners. He enumerates their advantages, for the versification of Pope was at that time the and contrasts their various pursuits,-" wealth, model for imitation; his rules were the standard of commerce, honour, liberty, content," showing that criticism, and the "Essay on Man" was placed at each favourite object, when attained, runs into ex- the head of didactic poetry. The fame of Goldcess, and defeats itself by bringing with it its own smith was now firmly established; and he had the peculiar evil. He proceeds to show, that content- satisfaction to find, that it did not merely rest on ment is more frequently to be found in a meagre the authority of the million, for the learned and mountain soil and stormy region, than in a genial the great now deemed themselves honoured by his climate and luxuriant country; for labour produces acquaintance.

competence, and custom inures to hardship, while His poem was frequently the subject of converignorance renders the rugged peasant calm and sation among the literary circles of the time, and cheerful under a life of toil and deprivation. But particularly in that circle which used to assemble the poet makes a distinction between mere content at the house of Sir Joshua Reynolds. On one ocand happiness. If the wants of barren states are casion it was remarked among the company at Sir few, and their wishes limited, their enjoyments are Joshua's, that "the 'Traveller' had brought Goldin like manner circumscribed; for every want be- smith into high reputation."-"Yes," said Mr. comes a sourcce of pleasure when gratified. Their Langton, "and no wonder; there is not one bad virtues partake also a similar dearth, and their line in that poem, not one of Dryden's careless morals, like their pleasures, are scanty, coarse, and low.

For, as refinement stops, from sire to son
Unalter'd, unimproved, the manners run;
And love's and friendship's finely pointed dart
Fall blunted from each indurated heart.

Some sterner virtues o'er the mountain's breast
May sit like falcons cowering on the nest;
But all the gentler morals, such as play
Through life's more cultured walks, and charm the way,
These, far dispersed, on timorous pinions fly,
To sport and flutter in a kinder sky.

verses."

"SIR JOSHUA.-I was glad to hear Charles Fox say, it was one of the finest poems in the English language.

"LANGTON.-Why were you glad? You surely had no doubt of it before.

"DR. JOHNSON.-No: the merit of the "Traveller," is so well established, that Mr. Fox's praise can not augment it, nor his censure diminish it."

"SIR JOSHUA.-But his friends may suspect they had too great a partiality for him.

"JOHNSON.-Nay, sir, it can not be so; for the The poet comes at length to the conclusion, that partiality of his friends was always against him." happiness centres in the mind, that it depends up- Goldsmith, however, was not permitted to enjoy on ourselves, and is equally to be enjoyed in every the fame he had acquired without experiencing al country and under every government; for, even in so the detraction that generally attends successful regions of tyranny and terror, where unjust laws genius. The envy of some and the jealousy of oppress, and cruel tortures are inflicted, these evils others, especially among the minor candidates for rarely find their way into the hallowed seclusion of poetical fame, was speedily awakened by the apa domestic circle. plause bestowed on his poem. Unable to deny the In this poem, we may particularly remark a merit of the performance, they strove to detract quality which distinguishes the writings of Gold- from the merit of its author, by ascribing the chief smith; it perpetually presents the author to our part of it to the friendly muse of Dr. Johnson. minds. He is one of the few writers who are in- This question has since been finally settled. In separably identified with their works. We think the year 1783, Dr. Johnson, at the request of Mr.

Boswell, marked with a pencil all the lines he had aside unnoticed or neglected. Perhaps it was for. furnished, which are only line 420th,

To stop too fearful, and too faint to go;

tunate for literature that it so happened. Goldsmith, with all his genius and taste as a writer, was but little versed in the arts; and it is extreme

and the concluding ten lines, except the last coup-ly questionable whether he was qualified to accomlet but one, printed in italic.

How small of all that human hearts endure,
That part which laws or kings can cause or cure;
Still to ourselves in every place consign'd,
Our own felicity we make or find;

With secret course, which no loud storms annoy,
Glides the smooth current of domestic joy,
The lifted are, the agonizing wheel,
Luke's iron crown, and Damien's bed of steel,*
To men remote from power but rarely known,
Leave reason, faith, and conscience, all our own.

plish the task which he had proposed to himself. The opinion of his friend, Dr. Johnson, who so well knew and appreciated the extent of his acquirements, may be given as decisive of such a question. In a conversation with Mr. Boswell, the latter remarked, that our author "had long a visionary prospect of some time or other going to Aleppo, when his circumstances should be easier, in order to acquire a knowledge, as far as might be, of any arts peculiar to the East, and introduce them Johnson added “these are all of which I can be into Britain;" to which Johnson rejoined, “of all sure." They bear indeed but a very trifling pro-men, Goldsmith is most unfit to go out on such an portion to the whole, which consists of four hun- inquiry; for he is yet ignorant of such arts as we dred and thirty-eight verses. The truth in this ourselves already possess, and consequently could case seems to be, that the report had its origin in not know what would be accessions to our present the avowed fact of the poem having been submit-stock of mechanical knowledge: sir, he would ted to Johnson's friendly revision before it was sent bring home a grinding-barrow, and think he had to the press. furnished a wonderful improvement." Goldsmith, Goldsmith, though now universally known and however, seems never to have been conscious of admired, and enabled to look forward to indepen-the deficiency of his own powers for such an undence at home, appears still to have retained a dertaking. His passion for travel was never exstrong tincture of his original roving disposition. tinguished; and notwithstanding the neglect with He had long entertained a design of penetrating which his application for ministerial patronage had into the interior parts of Asia, to investigate the been treated, his design of penetrating to the East remains of ancient grandeur, learning, and man- frequently revived. Even after the publication of ners; and when Lord Bute became prime minister the "Traveller," as formerly remarked, though enat the accession of George the Third, this desire gaged in several literary undertakings, this design was more strongly excited by the hope of obtain-was still predominant; and had it not been for his ing some portion of the royal bounty, then so libe- characteristic simplicity or carelesness, or perhaps rally dispensed by that nobleman in pensions and his propensity to practical blundering, an opportu benefactions to men of learning and genius. That nity was now thrown in his way that might have he might be enabled to execute this favourite pro-enabled him to fulfil his most sanguine expectaject he resolved on making a direct application to

tions.

the premier for pecuniary assistance, and the sanc- Among the distinguished characters of the day tion of Government, but, the better to ensure suc-which the merit of the "Traveller," had attached cess, he previously drew up and published in the to its author, either as patrons or friends, Loid Public Ledger, an ingenious essay on the subject, Nugent (afterwards Earl of Clare) was conspicuin which the advantages of such a mission were ous in point of rank; and his lordship, not satisfied stated with much ability and eloquence. Our poor with his own personal notice and friendship, warmauthor, however, was then but little known, and ly recommended him to his friends in power, parnot having distinguished himself by any popular ticularly to the Earl (afterwards Duke) of Northliterary effort, his petition or memorial was thrown umberland, then lord-lieutenant of Ireland. That nobleman, on the recommendation of Lord Nu

*Goldsmith in this couplet mentions Luke as a person well gent, had read several of Goldsmith's productions, known, and superficial readers have passed it over quite and being charmed with the elegance of their style, smoothly; while those of more attention have been as much expressed a desire to extend his patronage to their perplexed by Luke, as by Lydiat in "The Vanity of Human author. After his lordship's return from Ireland, Wishes." The truth is, that Goldsmith himself was in a mis

take. In the "Respublica Hungarica," there is an account in 1765, he communicated his intentions to Dr. of a desperate rebellion in the year 1514, headed by two bro- Percy, who was related to the family of Northum thers of the name of Zeck, George and Luke. When it was berland, and by his means an interview took place quelle, George, and not Luke, was punished, by his head between the poet and the peer. Of this visit to bcing encircled with a red hot iron crown: Corona cande his lordship, Goldsmith used to give the following scente ferrea coronatur. The same severity of torture was

exercised on the Earl of Athol, one of the murderers of James account: "I was invited by my friend Percy to i wait upon the duke, in consequence of the satis

I of Scotland.

faction he had received from the perusal of one of dispositions will be pleased with such a charactermy productions. I dressed myself in the best man-istic instance of his well-known simplicity and ner I could, and after studying some compliments goodness of heart. A benevolent mind will disI thought necessary on such an occasion, proceed- cover in the recommendation of a brother, to the ed to Northumberland-house, and acquainted the exclusion of himself, a degree of disinterestedness, servants that I had particular business with the which, as it is seldom to be met with, is the more to duke. They showed me into an ante-chamber, be admired.

where, after waiting some time, a gentleman very Though Goldsmith thus lost the only good opelegantly dressed made his appearance. Taking portunity that had offered for obtaining Governhim for the duke, I delivered all the fine things I ment patronage for his intended eastern expedihad composed, in order to compliment him on the tion, it must be admitted to the honour of the Duke honour he had done me; when, to my great aston- of Northumberland, that when the plan was afterishment, he told me I had mistaken him for his mas-wards explained to him at a distant period, he exter, who would see me immediately. At that in-pressed his regret that he had not been made acstant the duke came into the apartment, and I was quainted with it earlier; for he could at once have so confounded on the occasion, that I wanted words placed the poet on the Irish establishment, with a barely sufficient to express the sense I entertained sufficient salary to enable him to prosecute his reof the duke's politeness, and went away exceedingly searches, and would have taken care to have had chagrined at the blunder I had committed.

In the embarrassment which ensued from this awkward mistake, our author's eastern project, for which he had intended to have solicited his lordship's patronage, was totally forgotten, and the visit appears to have been concluded without even a hint as to this great object of his wishes.

it continued to him during the whole period of his travels. From this time our poet, though he sometimes talked of his plan, appears to have for ever relinquished the design of travelling into Asia.

Independent of every consideration of interest or ambition, the introduction of Goldsmith to a nobleman of such high rank as the Earl of Northum

Sir John Hawkins, in his "Life of Dr. John-berland, was a circumstance sufficiently gratifying son," has noticed and commented on the circum- to a mind fond of distinction. In fact, the vanity stances attending this interview, with peevishness of our poet, was greatly excited by the honour of and ill-humour. "Having one day," says he, "a the interview with his lordship: and, for a considercall to wait on the late Duke, then Earl of North- able time after, it was much the subject of allusion umberland, I found Goldsmith waiting for an au- and reference in his conversation. One of those dience in an outer room: I asked him what had ingevious executors of the law, a bailiff, having brought him there; he told me, an invitation from come to the knowledge of this circumstance, deterhis lordship. I made my business as short as I mined to turn it to his advantage in the execution could, and as a reason, mentioned that Dr. Gold- of a writ which he had against the poet for a small smith was waiting without. The earl asked me debt. He wrote Goldsmith a letter, stating, that if I was acquainted with him? I told him I was, he was steward to a nobleman who was charmed adding what I thought was likely to recommend with reading his last production, and had ordered him. I retired, and stayed in the outer room to him to desire the doctor to appoint a place where take him home. Upon his coming out, I asked he might have the honour of meeting him, to conhim the result of this conversation. "His lord-duct him to his lordship. Goldsmith swallowed ship," said he, "told me he had read my poem, the bait without hesitation; he appointed the Brimeaning the 'Traveller,' and was much delighted tish Coffee-house, to which he was accompanied with it; that he was going lord-lieutenant to Ire- by his friend Mr. Hamilton, the proprietor and land, and that, hearing I was a native of that coun- printer of the Critical Review, who in vain remontry, he should be glad to do me any kindness." strated on the singularity of the application. On "And what did you answer," asked I, "to this entering the coffee-room, the bailiff paid his regracious offer?"-"Why," said he, "I could say spects to the poet, and desired that he might have nothing but that I had a brother there, a clergy- the honour of immediately attending him. They man, that stood in need of help: as for myself, I had scarcely entered Pall-Mall on their way to his have no dependence on the promises of great men; lordship, when the bailiff produced his writ, to the I look to the booksellers for support; they are my infinite astonishment and chagrin of our author. best friends, and I am not inclined to forsake them Mr. Hamilton, however, immediately interfered, for others."-"Thus," continues Sir John, "did generously paid the money, and redeemed the poet this idiot in the affairs of the world trifle with his from captivity. fortunes, and put back the hand that was held out

Soon after the publication of the "Traveller,* to assist him!"-In a worldly point of view, the Goldsmith appears to have fixed his abode in the conduct of Goldsmith on this occasion was un- Temple, where he ever afterwards resided. His doubtedly absurd; but those who have generous apartments were first in the library staircase, next

in the King's-Bench-walk, and ultimately at No. 2, | funeral of Mr. Garrick, became distinguished by in Brick-court. Here he had chambers in the first the title of the Literary Club. The members met floor, elegantly furnished, and here he was often and supped together one evening in every week, at visited by literary friends, distinguished alike by the Turk's Head, in Gerrard street, Soho. Their their rank, talents, and acquirements. In the num- meetings commenced at seven; and by means of ber of those with whom he now associated, and the inexhaustible conversational powers of Johnson, could rank among his friends, he was able to ex- Burke, and Beauclerk, their sittings were generally hibit a list of the most eminent and conspicuous protracted till a pretty late hour. It was originally men of the time, among whom may be particu- intended that the number of members should be larized the names of Burke, Fox, Johnson, Percy, made up to twelve, but for the first three or four Reynolds, Garrick, Colman, Dyer, Jones, Boswell, years it never exceeded nine or ten; and it was unand Beauclerk, with the Lords Nugent and Charle-derstood that if even only two of these should chance mont. The mention of these names naturally calls to meet, they would be able to entertain one another up the recollection of the famous Literary Club of for the evening. which Goldsmith was one of the earliest members, About the beginning of 1768, the attending or and of which the conversational anecdotes, re- efficient members were reduced to eight; first by ported by Mr. Boswell, have contributed to give so the secession of Mr. Beauclerk, who became esmuch interest to the pages of that gentleman's bi-tranged by the gayer attractions of more fashionaography of Johnson. As our author continued a ble clubs; and next by the retirement of Sir John member of this select society from its foundation till Hawkins. his death, and shone as one of its most conspicuous Soon after this it was proposed by Dr. Johnson ornaments, some account of its institution, and a to elect a supply of new members, and to make up notice of the names of its members till the present their number to twelve, the election to be made by time, all of whom have more or less figured in the ballot, and one black ball to be sufficient for the ex literary or political world, may not be unacceptable clusion of a candidate. The doctor's proposal was to many of our readers. immediately carried into effect by the election of Sir Robert Chambers, Dr. Percy, and the late George Colman; and these three were introduced as new

Mr. Beauclerk having desired to be restored to the society, was re-elected about the same time.

This literary association is said by Mr. Boswell to have been founded in 1764, but Dr. Percy is of opinion that its institution was not so early. Sir members on Monday evening, February 15, 1763. Joshua Reynolds had the merit of being the first to suggest it to Dr. Johnson and Mr. Burke; and they having acceded to the proposal, the respective friends of these three were invited to join them. The original members, therefore, as they stand on the records of the society, were Sir Joshua Reynolds, Dr. Johnson, Mr. Edmund Burke, Dr. Nugent, Mr. Beauclerk, Mr. Langton, Dr. Goldsmith, Mr. Chamier, and Sir John Hawkins; and to this number there was added soon afterwards Mr. Samuel Dyer. It existed long without a name, but at the

*

From this period till 1772 the club consisted of the same members, and its weekly meetings were regularly continued every Monday evening till December that year, when the night of meeting was altered to Friday. Shortly afterwards there were no less than four vacancies occasioned by death. These were supplied, first by the Earl of Charlemont and David Garrick, who were elected on the 12th of March, 1773; and next by Mr. (afterwards Sir William) Jones and Mr. Boswell, the former of whom was elected on the 2d, and the latter on the 30th of April following. In adverting to the election of Mr. Garrick, it may not be deemed impertinent to notice an error on the part of Sir John Hawkins, in his "Life of Johnson." Speaking of that gentleman's wish to become a member of the club, "Garrick," says the knight, "trusted that the least intimation of a desire to come among us This gentleman was one of the intimate friends of Mr. would procure him a ready admission; but in this Burke, who inserted in the public papers the following character of him at the time of his death, which happened on he was mistaken. Johnson consulted me upon it;

*Neither Sir Joshua nor Sir John Hawkins had then been knighted, nor had Johnson been presented with his diploma of LL. D.; but both here and on other occasions the parties are noticed by their most common appellations.

This gentleman was a physician, father of Mr. Burke's wife; not the Dr. Nugent who published some volumes of travels, and several philosophical works, for whom he has been sometimes mistaken. The above Dr. Nugent was a very amiable man, and highly respected by his contemporaries.

Monday, September 14, 1772:

"On Monday evening died at his lodgings in Castle-street, those few who had the happiness of knowing intimately that Leicester Fields, Samuel Dyer, Esq., Fellow of the Royal So- valuable unostentatious man; and his death is to them a loss ciety. He was a man of profound and general erudition; and irreparable."

his sagacity and judgment were fully equal to the extent of his Mr. Dyer was held in high estimation for his erudition by learning. His mind was candid, sincere, benevolent; his Dr. Johnson, but we know not of any literary work in which friendship disinterested and unalterable. The modesty, sim- he was concerned, except that he corrected and improved the plicity, and sweetness of his manners, rendered his conversa. translation of Plutarch's Lives, by Dryden and others, when tion as amiable as it was instructive, and endeared him to it was revived by Tonson.

and when I could find no objection to receiving | surely a considerable man." Sheridan had accordhim, exclaimed, "he will disturb us by his buf-ingly the honour to be elected. The importance foonery!" and afterwards so managed matters, that thus attached by its members to this celebrated he was never formally proposed, and by conse-club, seems justified by time and public opinion. quence never admitted. No association of a like kind has existed, and retained its original high character, for so long a period; and none has ever been composed of men so remarkable for extraordinary talent.

In justice both to Mr. Garrick and Dr. Johnson, Mr. Boswell has rectified this mis-statement. "The truth is," says he, "that not very long after the institution of our club, Sir Joshua Reynolds was In 1774, an accession of new members was addspeaking of it to Garrick: 'I like it much (said the ed by the election of the Hon. Charles James Fox, latter); I think I shall be of you.' When Sir Sir Charles Bunbury, Dr. George Fordyce, and Joshua mentioned this to Dr. Johnson, he was George Steevens, Esq.; and this brings the annals much displeased with the actor's conceit. He'll of the club down to the death of Goldsmith. Either be of us (said Johnson), how does he know we will then, or soon after, the number of the members was permit him? The first duke in England has no increased to thirty; and, in 1776, instead of supright to hold such, language.' However, when ping once a week, they resolved to dine together Garrick was regularly proposed some time after- once a-fortnight during the sitting of Parliament; wards, Johnson, though he had taken a momentary and now the meetings take place every other Tuesoffence at his arrogance, warmly and kindly sup- day at Parsloe's, in St. James's-street. It is believported him; and he was accordingly elected, was a ed, that this increase in the number of the memmost agreeable member, and continued to attend bers, originally limited to twelve, took place in conour meetings to the time of his death." This state- sequence of a suggestion on the part of our author. ment, while it corrects the inaccuracy of Sir John, Conversing with Johnson and Sir Joshua Reyaffords also a proof of the estimation in which the nolds one day, Goldsmith remarked, "that he wishLiterary Club was held by its own members, and the ed for some additional members to the Literary nicety that might be opposed to the admission of a Club, to give it an agreeable variety; for (said he) candidate. The founders appear to have been there can be nothing new among us; we have trasomewhat vain of the institution, both as unique in velled over one another's minds." Johnson, howits kind, and as distinguished by the learning and ever, did not like the idea that his mind could be talent of its members. Dr. Johnson, in particular, travelled over or exhausted, and seemed rather disseems to have had a sort of paternal anxiety for its pleased; but Sir Joshua thought Goldsmith in the prosperity and perpetuation, and on many occasions right, observing, that "where people have lived a exhibited almost as jealous a care of its purity and great deal together, they know what each of them reputation as of his own. Talking of a certain will say on every subject. A new understanding, lord one day, a man of coarse manners, but a man therefore, is desirable; because, though it may only of abilities and information, "I don't say," con- furnish the same sense upon a question which tinued Johnson, "he is a man I would set at the would have been furnished by those with whom we head of a nation, though perhaps he may be as are accustomed to live, yet this sense will have a good as the next prime minister that comes: but he different colouring, and colouring is of much effect is a man to be at the head of a club, I don't say our in every thing else as well as painting."* club, for there is no such club." On another occasion, when it was mentioned to him by Mr. Beauclerk that Dr. Dodd had once wished to be a member of the club, Johnson observed, "I should be sorry indeed if any of our club were hanged," and added, jocularly, "I will not say but some of them deserve it," alluding to their politics and religion, which were frequently in opposition to his own. But the high regard in which the doctor held this association was most strikingly evinced in the election of Mr. Sheridan. In return for some literary civilities received from that gentleman while he had as yet only figured as a dramatist, Johnson thought the finest compliment he could bestow would be to procure his election to the Literary Club. When the ballot was proposed, therefore, he exerted his influence, and concluded his recommendation of the candidate by remarking, that "he who George Colman. has written the two best comedies of 's age, is

From the institution of the Literary Club to the present

time, it is believed that the following is a correct list of the members:

Lord Ashburton (Dunning.)
*Sir Joseph Banks.
Marquis of Bath.

Dr. Barnard, Bishop of Kila

loe.

Mr. Topham Beauclerk. 'Sir Charles Blagden.

Mr. Boswell.

*Sir Charles Bunbury.

Dr. Douglas, Bishop of Salis. bury.

Mr. Dyer.
*Lord Elliot.

'Rev. Dr. Farmer.

Dr. George Fordyce.
'Right Hon. C. J. Fox.
David Garrick.
Mr. Gibbon.

Right Hon. Edmund Burke. Dr. Goldsmith.
Richard Burke (his son.)
Dr. Burney.

'Sir Robert Chambers.
Mr. Chamier.
Earl of Charlemont.

Mr. Courtney.

'Sir William Hamilton. Sir John Hawkins.

Dr. Hinchliffe, Bishop of Pe terborough.

Dr. Johnson.

Sir William Jones,

Mr. Langton.