punity." The Orators came out | Dublin printer, George Faulkner, without the attraction promised: who consoled himself (pending attacking instead a celebrated his prosecution of the libeller) * Boswell, v. 232-3. Johnson's offence by pirating the libel and 1762. to Foote was reported from Garrick's selling it most extensively; dinner-table, at which, on the occasion while the satirist had the Et. 34. of a Christmas party (1760) with Burke, more doubtful consolation of rethe Wartons, Murphy, and others, after

modern Aristophanes, he had said he was

*

hearing that somebody in Dublin had flecting, three years later, that thought it worth while to horsewhip the his "taking off" of Faulkner's glad "the man was rising in the world." one leg would have been much Foote in return gave out that he would in more perfect, if he could have a short time produce the Caliban of waited till the surgeon had taken literature on the stage. Being informed off his own. It was the first Foote, that, the theatre being intended dramatic piece, I may add, in for the reformation of vice, he would go which actors were stationed from the boxes on the stage, and correct him before the audience. "Foote aban-among the audience, and spoke "doned the design. No ill-will ensued. from the public boxes.

of this design, Johnson sent word to

66 Johnson used to say that for broad- It had been suggested by a "faced mirth, Foote had not his equal." debating society called the Robin See an article in the Monthly Review (LXXVI. 374), one of a series admirably Hood, somewhat famous in those written, I suspect by Murphy. Since I days, which used to meet near threw out this suggestion, I have found Temple-bar; with which the conseveral passages from these reviews reproduced in Murphy's Essay on Johnson, nection of Burke's earliest eloand among them the notice of the Christ-quence may serve to keep it mas-day dinner at Garrick's (55). Let famous still, since it had num

me not here omit what Johnson so ad

mirably said of Foote, in talking of him

to Boswell a few years later. BOSWELL:"the Punchinello." Ib. I. 143-4. I will "Foote has a great deal of humour." close this note with Johnson's not unJOHNSON: "Yes, sir." BOSWELL: "He kindly comment to Mrs. Thrale on "has a singular talent of exhibiting char- Foote's death, when he heard of it in "acter." JOHNSON: "Sir, it is not a 1776. "Did you see Foote at Brightelm"talent, it is a vice; it is what others ab-"stone? Did you think he would so soon "stain from. It is not comedy, which ex-"be gone? Life, says Falstaff, is a "hibits the character of a species, as that "shuttle. He was a fine fellow in his "of a miser gathered from many misers: "way; and the world is really im"it is farce, which exhibits individuals.""poverished by his sinking glories. BOSWELL: "Did not he think of ex- "Murphy ought to write his life, at least "hibiting you, sir?" JOHNSON: "Sir, "to give the world a Footeana. Now, will "fear restrained him; he knew I would" any of his contemporaries bewail him? "have broken his bones. I would have "saved him the trouble of cutting off a "leg; I would not have left him a leg to "cut off." Boswell, III. 95-6. No man, at the same time, was less sore than Johnson at mere ordinary personal abuse. On some one reporting to him that Gilbert Cooper had invented for him the name, which Foote applies to him above, of the Caliban of literature, he merely smiled and said, "Well, then, I must dub him

"Will Genius change his sex to weep? I "would really have his life written with "diligence." Piozzi Letters, 1. 396. Failing that Life, I have myself endeavoured to contribute something towards the better knowledge of the better part of Foote's genius for comedy, which has fallen into undeserved though unavoidable neglect. See my Biog. Essays, pp. 329-462. Third Edition, 1860.

*See Boswell, III. 181-2.

bered among its members that aspect of the president, who sat eager Temple student, whose in a large gilt chair, he thought public life was now at last be- nature had meant him for a lord

1762.

ginning with under-secre- chancellor. “No, no,” whispered tary Hamilton in Dublin; Derrick, who knew him to be a Et. 34 and to which Goldsmith wealthy baker from the city, was introduced by Samuel Der-"only for a master of the rolls." rick, his countryman, and a fel- Goldsmith was not much of an low-worker for Newbery.* Struck orator; Doctor Kippis rememby the eloquence and imposing|bered him making an attempt at a speech in the Society of Arts

66

up,

Dr.

* Derrick had strange experiences to on one occasion, and obliged to relate, by which doubtless Goldsmith sit down in confusion;* but, until profited. "Sir," said Johnson to Boswell, "I honour Derrick for his presence 66 of mind. One night, when Floyd, an- "The great room of the society now "other poor author, was wandering "mentioned," says Doctor Kippis at the "about the streets in the night, he found close of his memoir of Mr. Gilbert "Derrick fast asleep upon a bulk: upon Cooper, and referring to the Society of "being suddenly waked, Derrick started Arts, was for several years the place 'My dear Floyd, I am sorry to see "where many persons chose to try, or to "you in this destitute state: will you go display, their oratorical abilities. ""home with me to my lodgings?' Life, "Goldsmith, I remember, made an atII. 244. Derrick had also something to "tempt at a speech, but was obliged to say to Goldsmith of the old savage per-"sit down in confusion. I once heard secutor of his college days (ante, p. 22), to "Doctor Johnson speak there, upon a which he would be likely to listen with a "subject relating to mechanics, with a strange interest. A fellow of Trinity, "propriety, perspicuity, and energy which Dr. Wilson, was his frequent correspon-"excited general admiration." Biog. Brit. dent, and his letters contain allusions to (new edit.) Iv. 266. Against this, howDr. Theaker Wilder, all characteristic of over, in so far as Johnson is concerned, the brutality of the man. One is in a we have to set off the express and very letter of the 26th September, 1762. interesting statement in Boswell's Life, "Wilder got a monstrous beating from III. 157-8. "I remember it was observed "Rogers-the particulars in my next." "by Mr. Flood, that Johnson, having Unfortunately "my next" has not been "been long used to sententious brevity, preserved; but in a letter of congratula-"and the short flights of conversation, tion (18th March, 1763) on Derrick's ap-"might have failed in that continued and pointment to be master of the ceremonies "expanded kind of argument which is at Bath, the same names reappear in "requisite in stating complicated matters ominous conjunction. "The happiest"in public speaking; and, as a proof "circumstance in your affairs is to be re- "of this, he mentioned the supposed "lieved from the vile drudgery of au-"speeches in parliament written by him "thorship, from subjection to the clamor-"for the magazine, none of which, in his ous demands of devils and booksellers."opinion, were at all like real debates. "Are you acquainted with the Bishop of "The opinion of one who was himself so "Gloucester? I take him to be a man "eminent an orator, must be allowed to "of great genius, and an admirable "have great weight. It was confirmed reasoner. Give me an account of Quin, "by Sir William Scott (Lord Stowell), 66 and if you can learn anything about "who mentioned, that Johnson had told "Gray. Does Warburton know him? "him that he had several times tried to Rogers is in London, on the road to the "speak in the Society of Arts and "East Indies. Dr. Wilder is not yet hang'd."Sciences, but had found he could not "I'm heartily tired of the college." Der-"get on. From Mr. William Gerard "Hamilton I have heard, that Johnson,

66

66

66

rick MSS.

Æt. 34.

Derrick went away to succeed Not always such ready reBeau Nash at Bath, he seems to cipients, however, did Goldsmith have continued his visits, and find in the objects of his always even spoken occasionally; for he ready kindness. One of 1762. figures in a flattering account of the members of this Robin the members published at about Hood was Peter Annet, a this time, as "a good orator and man who, though ingenious and "candid disputant, with a clear deserving in other respects, be"head and an honest heart, came unhappily notorious by a "though coming but seldom to the fanatic crusade against the Bible, "society." The honest heart was for which (publishing weekly worn upon his sleeve, whatever papers against the Book of his society might be. He could Genesis) he stood twice this year not even visit the three Chero- in the pillory, and was now kees, whom all the world were undergoing imprisonment in the at this time visiting, without King's bench. To Annet's rooms leaving the savage chiefs a trace in St. George's-fields we trace of it. He gave them some Goldsmith. He had brought "trifle" they did not look for; Newbery with him to conclude and so did the gift, or the man- the purchase of a child's book ner of it, please them, that with on grammar by the prisoner, a sudden embrace they covered hoping so to relieve his dishis cheeks with the oil and ochre tress; but, on the prudent bookthat plentifully bedaubed their "fumes." own, and left him to discover, by mention of Foote's visit to the Cherokees, the laughter which greeted him in a letter of Mrs. Thrale's to Johnson in in the street, the extent and 1781, may be added, because it shows fervour of their gratitude.*

"when observing to him that it was "prudent for a man who had not been "accustomed to speak in public to begin "his speech in as simple a manner as "possible, acknowledged that he rose in "that society to deliver a speech which he "had prepared; but,' said he, all my "flowers of oratory forsook me.'"

Animated Nature, I. 420. A

or

also the impression that remained among the set as to Goldsmith's philosophy about rich and poor, luxury and simplicity, seven years after he had passed away. "It has been thought by many "wise folks," she writes to Johnson, "that we fritter our pleasures all away "by refinement, and when one reads "Goldsmith's works, either verse "prose, one fancies that in corrupt life "there is more enjoyment: yet we should "We have a very wrong idea of "find little solace from ale-house merri"savage finery, and are apt to suppose "ment or cottage carousals, whatever the "that like the beasts of the forest, they "best wrestler on the green might do, I "rise, and are dressed with a shake; but 66 suppose; mere brandy and brown sugar "the reverse is true: for no birth-night "liqueur, like that which Foote presented "beauty takes more time or pains in the "the Cherokee kings with, and won their "adorning her person than they. I re- "hearts from our fine ladies who treated "member, when the Cherokee kings "them with sponge biscuits and fron"were over here, that I have waited for "tiniac." Letters, II. 215. She was writ"three hours during the time they were ing in the same strain to Sir James Fel"dressing they had their boxes of lowes nearly half a century after Gold"oil and ochre, their fat and their per-smith's death. See Hayward, 11. 148-9.

1762.

Æt. 34.

seller objecting to its publication" completion of a history of with the author's name, Annet "England" he had just given accused him of cowardice, re- Goldsmith himself only two jected his assistance with guineas.* Which latter municontempt, and in a furious ficent payment was exactly conrage bade him and his in- temporaneous with the completroducer good evening. Yet the tion of another kind of history, amount of Newbery's intended on more expensive terms, by assistance was so liberal as to paymaster Henry Fox; from whom have startled both Goldsmith twenty-five thousand pounds had and Annet, no less a sum than gone in one morning, at the ten guineas being offered for the formal rate of £200 a vote, to child's grammar, though for the patriotic voters for the Peace. There is reason to believe

*

It was the magnificence of the offer (from another of the bookseller's which brought about the catastrophe, such a fervour of gratitude being excited memoranda) that the two guineas in Annet that he suddenly protested he was for "seventy-nine leaves" would add a dedication and append his of addition to a school-history name, and Newbery should have the

benefit of both. I derive the anecdote comprising the reign of George from Cooke, who says it was one of those the Second, and paid at the rate stories which he had heard Goldsmith of eight shillings a sheet. This "relate with much colloquial humour;" and he gives a portion of the dialogue in payment, with what has before which, as Goldsmith repeated it, the con- been mentioned, and an addition trast of Newbery's slow gravity, with of five guineas for the assignment Annet's impatience, rising at last into and republication of the Chinese "Mr. Annet," says Newbery, in his grave Letters (to which Newbery, as manner, "would putting your name to we have seen, appears to have "it, do you think, increase the value of assented reluctantly, and only "your book?" ANNET. "Why not, sir?" NEWB. "Consider a bit, Mr. Annet." because Goldsmith would else ANNET. "Well, sir, I do: what then?" have printed them on his own NEWB. "Why, then, sir, you must re

fury, had a most amusing effect. "But,

He

“collect that you have been pilloried, and account), are all the profits of "that can be no recommendation to any his drudgery which can be traced 'man's book." ANNET. "I grant I have to him in the present year. "been pilloried, but I am not the first needed to have a cheerful dis66 man that has had this accident; be"sides, sir, the public very often support "a man the more for those unavoidable "publish no book of mine." And so, in "misfortunes." NEWB. "Unavoidable, Mr. a quite unexpected catastrophe of flam"Annet! Why, sir, you brought it on ing wrath, the visitors vanish, and the 66 yourself by writing against the estab- Child's Grammar is heard of no more. See "lished religion of your country; and let Europ. Mag. XXIV. 92. For a further ac'me tell you, Mr. Annet, a man who is count of Annet, see Hawkins's Life of 66 supposed to have forfeited his ears on Johnson, 566. "such an account, stands but a poor can- *I quote from an autograph of Gold"didate for public favour.". ANNET. Smith in the possession of Mr. Rogers: "Well, well, Mr. Newbery, it does not "Received of Mr. Newbery the sum of signify talking; you either suffer me to "two guineas for the completion of the "put my name to it, or by G-! you"English History. July 27, 1762."

Æt. 34.

position to bear him through; | Johnson's notice of the old nor was nature chary to him now favourite project he was still at of that choicest of her gifts. He that time clinging to, that some had some bow of promise shin- time or other, "when his 1762. ing through his dullest weather. "circumstances should be It is supposed that he memo- "easier," he would like to rialised Lord Bute, soon after go to Aleppo, and bring home Johnson's pension, with the such arts peculiar to the East as scheme we have seen him throw he might be able to find there. out hints of in his review of Van "Of all men Goldsmith is the Egmont's Asia;* and, though no "most unfit to go out upon such such memorial has been found, "an inquiry; for he is utterly nothing is more probable than "ignorant of such arts as we althat such a notion might have re- "ready possess, and consequentvived with him, on hearing John- "ly could not know what would son's remark to Langton in con- "be accessories to our present nection with his pension. "Had "stock of mechanical knowledge. "this happened twenty years "Sir, he would bring home a “ago, I should have gone to Con- "grinding-barrow, which you see "stantinople to learn Arabic, as "in every street in London, and "Pocock did." But what with "think that he had furnished a Samuel Johnson might be a "wonderful improvement."* noble ambition, with little Goldy But brighter than these visionwas but theme for a jest; and ary fancies were shining for him nothing so raised the laugh now. There is little doubt, from against him, a few years later, as allusions which would most naturally have arisen at the close * See ante, 129. The same subject is of the present year, that, in mopursued in Letter CVIII. of the Citizen of the World. "To Lord Bute Goldsmith ments snatched from his thank"made an application to be allowed a less and ill-rewarded toil for salary to enable him to execute his Newbery, he was at last secretly "favourite plan but poor Goldsmith, "who had not then published his Tra- indulging in a labour, which, "veller, or distinguished his name by any whatever its effect might be "popular display of genius, being obscure "and unfriended, was not successful. upon his fortunes, was its own "His petition or memorial was unnoticed thanks and its own reward. He "and neglected.". Percy Memoir, 65. With had begun the Vicar of Wakefield. the hope of discovering some possible Without encouragement or fareason to doubt was really made by Vour in its progress, and with Goldsmith to the first minister, Lord Dudley Stuart was so kind, at my re

trace of the application which there is no

*Boswell, VII. 370. Yet that Goldquest, as to cause strict search to be smith took no mean view of the objects made through the voluminous and very to be aimed at in such an enterprise, and interesting unpublished correspondence felt that its successful accomplishment of Lord Bute. But nothing was dis- would task a higher and hardier spirit covered of it, or in any way bearing than his own, appears from the Chinese upon it. Letter named in the previous note.