OP OLIVER GOLDSMITg. 



27 



with his usual quaintness and accuracy, and who is pointed 

 out as a model. Goldsmith's village clergyman is much more 

 fully pourtrayed, and in a different style. Indeed, though 

 both have distinctly brought forward a character familiar to 

 all, yet there is no such similitude existing as to lead to the 

 idea of any plagiarism. That they have expressed the same 

 notions in one or two instances was certainly to be expected, 

 and hence we find Chaucer saying — 



" To drawen folk to heaven with fairenesse, 

 By good example was his besinesse ;" 



while Goldsmith, amplifying his subject, conveys the same 

 idea with a beautiful comparison — 



" And as a bird each fond endearment tries, 

 To tempt its new-fiedged ofispring to the skies ; 

 He tried each art, reproved each dull delay, 

 Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way." 



It is unnecessary to adduce any further coincidence between 

 these two celebrated passages. Our poet has, with a minute- 

 ness which never distresses, and an exactness and accuracy 

 which please the more the poem is examined, completed his 

 portrait of one of the principal characters of the village, with 

 one of the most beautiful similes of which the English 

 language can boast: — 



" As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form, 

 Swells from the vale and midway leaves the storm ; 

 Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread. 

 Eternal sunshine settles on its head." 



Another poet of a subsequent age has taken the same subject 

 in hand. Cowper, in his Task, has described a preacher, but 

 his manner is so full of caustic satire, directed against those 

 whom he should not imitate, and against practices that he 



