st men then existing as an author. It is not actly ascertained at what time the intimacy tween these great men commenced; but on e 31st May, 1761, Johnson was at supper in oldsmith's lodgings in Wine Office Court,25 with her literary persons. Doctor Percy, who was the party, was surprised at the great lexicograer's unusual spruceness and elegance of dress; nich Johnson accounted for by saying 'that oldsmith justified his disregard of cleanliness nd decency by quoting his practice, and he was etermined to set him a better example.' The friendship of Johnson to any man was no ommon blessing; to Goldsmith it might have een beyond all value, for under that forbidding xterior was a most feeling heart, a warm and ffectionate disposition, and the most unbending rinciples of virtue and religion. He was as kind nd generous to others, as he was himself wise nd prudent in the economy of life. Dr. Percy ays that their connexion was cemented by almost aily association, and their friendship improved 25 Goldsmith on being visited by Johnson one day in the Temple, said to him with a little jealousy of the appearance of his accommodation,' I shall soon be in better chambers han these.' Johnson at the same time checked him, and paid him a handsome compliment, wishing that a man of his talents should be above attention to such distinctions. Nay, Sir, never mind that,''Nil te quæsiveris extra.' ". Bosw. Johnson, vol. iv. p. 359. 6 as their intercourse increased. Johnson had seen much of the world; had been a sagacious observer of mankind, and profited by his experience; from his superior age and wisdom, he was well adapted to be the friend of the young and the imprudent, and it was not long before the embarrassment of Goldsmith's circumstances called for his assistance. 26 Boswell says (and with truth) that Goldsmith was very generous, and when he had money he gave it liberally away; in fact, his generosity LIFE OF GOLDS too often be called th e of those persons to the present day is th and whom no anxio he spent his mone ; and indeed the d income arrived w actice of economy. rested by his landla Fortunately he had History of the V which, if I may witho Or opinion, I should of style, truth of ci ure, easy change delineation of chara Caggeration, and co as and pathetic, ost productions of f Richardson, without 2 of Fielding, wit ds to Le Sage in the of life, it far exce the domestic virtues 26 Among Goldsmith's pensioners was Jack Pilkington, who served the Doctor so many tricks that he despaired of getting any more money from him without coming to a masterstroke. He accordingly called on the Doctor, one morning, and running about the room in a fit of joy, said his fortune was made. How so, Jack?' 'Why the Duchess of Marlborough had a strange wish for a pair of white mice, and I commissioned a friend to get me a pair from the East Indies, and he is just arrived with two of the most beautiful animals in the world. He then lengthened his visage, by telling the Doctor all was ruined, for without two guineas he could not buy a cage to present them in. The Doctor unfortunately, as he said himself, had but half a guinea, which he offered, but Jack was not to be beat out of his scheme. He saw the Doctor's watch hanging up, and hinted that if he could spare it for a week, he could raise a few guineas on it, which he would repay. The Doctor gave him the watch, which the other took to the pawnbroker, and Goldsmith heard no more of his friend Jack, till a message came to inform him he was on his death-bed, and requesting a guinea, which was readily sent.' the tale. ght too often be called thoughtlessness. He one of those persons to whom the good or of the present day is the boundary of their ws, and whom no anxious cares of futurity turb: he spent his money, as he gained it, ickly; and indeed the desultory manner in ich his income arrived was not conducive to practice of economy. He was now in disss, arrested by his landlady for the arrears of t. Fortunately he had just finished his dehtful History of the Vicar of Wakefield; a e which, if I may without presumption speak - own opinion, I should for sweetness and simcity of style, truth of circumstance, adherence nature, easy change of incident, bright and ar delineation of character, apart from all viot exaggeration, and command at once of the morous and pathetic, place among the very emost productions of fiction. It has the truth Richardson, without his minuteness; and the mour of Fielding, without his grossness: if it lds to Le Sage in the diversified variety of his ws of life, it far excels him in the description the domestic virtues, and the pleasing moral the tale. Goldsmith sent for Johnson in his distress, to se a sum for him by the sale of his manuscript. e account given by his friend is admirably chacteristic of those minds that, formed in nature's 1¦ happier hour,' nothing can permanently depress.aintance between Johnson sent him a guinea, and promised to be In 1763, the Poe with him directly.27 When he arrived, he foundry House, Isling that Goldsmith had purchased a bottle of Madeira with the money, and was regaling himself in his sorrow. diferent publica Poetry, 2 vols. 12m 2 Johnson wisely corked up the Chinese Letters, a w bottle, bid him be calm, went out and sold they, praised by h novel 28 for £60 to Newbery; and Goldsmith when ption, and a delicat he had paid his rent rated his landlady soundly; for its wit and for using him so ill. I suppose the bookseller the vices and follies was induced to purchase the manuscript partly and diverting sat from the recommendation of Johnson, for he was ton, of the pure an I doubtful of its success, and kept it by him till bservations are con Goldsmith's reputation, firmly established and ly in 1764, he col widely extended by the Traveller,' ensured a profitable sale. This accidental circumstance produced a fur 30 were ve pieces, under th justly popu nothing that atten t; a native grace, 27 This story has been related with singular inaccuracy by seen in the selection Mrs. Piozzi, in her anecdotes of Johnson, p. 119; and still more so by the Rev. Edmund Mangin, in his Essay on ony of his style. Light Reading, p. 134. It has been remarked that it has tam inclined to been told by Boswell (v. Life, i. 360), by Mrs. Piozzi (Anecd. p. 119), and by Cumberland (v. Life, p. 273), all from Johnson's own relation, and all differently, so difficult it is to come at the truth. 28 I do not love a man who is zealous for nothing.' for while it is no ace, it excels even Compactness and The name of Go When I was a young man, being anxious to distinguishen years before th myself, I was perpetually starting new propositions; but I soon gave this over, for I found that generally what was new proved him to b was false.' These two passages Goldsmith expunged from morous, and well his novel. Bosw. Johnson, vol. iv. p. 245. vol. i. p. 454. yet published no her acquaintance between Goldsmith and Newery. In 1763, the Poet was in lodgings in Canonbury House, Islington, revising and corecting different publications, particularly the Art of Poetry, 2 vols. 12mo.; a Life of Beau Nash; he Chinese Letters, a work highly, and I think most justly, praised by his biographer, for a nice ▪erception, and a delicate delineation of life and manners; for its wit and humour, and for touchng the vices and follies of the day with the most layful and diverting satire; to this, I would add mention, of the pure and graceful style in which is observations are conveyed. Soon after this, r early in 1764, he collected and published his ugitive pieces, under the title of Essays. They Iso were justly popular; for Goldsmith has written nothing that may not be read with deght; a native grace, an innate delicacy of taste s seen in the selection of his language, and the armony of his style. May I say without offence, hat I am inclined to prefer it to that of Addion; for while it is not inferior in ease and ele-ance, it excels even the Virgil of English prose compactness and precision. The name of Goldsmith had now been for even years before the public. His various works ad proved him to be a man of talent, a clever, ■umorous, and well informed writer; but he had is yet published no book of consequence, and he |