iv LIFE OF GOLDSMITH. 



der which he then laboured. But as Goldsmith's reputation as a writer was not yet establish- 

 ed, the bookseller was doubtful of the success of the Novel, and he kept the manuscript by 

 him till the Traveller appeared, when he published it with great advantage. 



Among many other persons of distinction who were desirous to know him, was the Duke of 

 Northumberland, and the circumstance that attended his introduction to that nobleman, is 

 worthy of being related, in order to show a striking trait of his character. " I was invited," 

 said the Doctor, " by my friend Percy, to wait upon the Duke, in consequence of the satisfac- 

 tion he had received from the perusal of one of my productions. I dressed myself in the best 

 manner I could, and, after studying some compliments I thought necessary on such an occa- 

 sion, proceeded to Northumberland house, and acquainted the servants that I had particular 

 business with his Grace. They showed me into an anti-chamber, where, after waiting some 

 time, a gentleman, very elegantly dressed, made his appearance. Taking him for the Duke, 

 I delivered all the fine things I had composed, in order to compliment him on the honour he 

 had done me; when, to my great astonishment, he told me I had mistaken him for his master, 

 *ho would see me immediately. At that instant the Duke came into the apartment; and I 

 vas so confounded on the occasion, that I wanted words barely sufficient to express the sense 

 f, entertained of the Duke's politeness, and went away exceedingly chagrined at the blunder 

 I had committed." 



The Doctor, at the time of this visit, was much embarrassed in his circumstances ; but, 

 vain of the honour done him, was continually mentioning it. One of those ingenious executors 

 of the law, a bailiff, who had a writ against him, determined to turn this circumstance to hi? 

 own advantage. He wrote him a letter, that he was steward to a nobleman who was charm- 

 ed with reading his last production, and had ordered him to desire the Doctor to appoint a 

 place where he might have the honour of meeting him, to conduct him to his Lordship. The 

 vanity of poor Goldsmith immediately swallowed the bait: he appointed the British Coffee- 

 house, to which he was accompanied by his friend Mr. Hamilton, the printer of the Critical 

 [le'view, who in vain remonstrated on the singularity of the application. On entering the 

 coffee-room, the bailiff paid his respects to the Doctor, and desired that he might have the 

 honour of immediately attending him. They had scarce entered Pall-Mall, in their way to 

 kis Lordship, when the bailiff produced his writ. Mr. Hamilton generously paid the money, 

 and redeemed the Doctor from captivity. 



Dr. Goldsmith, in 1765, produced his poem of the Traveller, which obtained the commenda- 

 lion of Dr. Johnson, who candidly acknowledged, "that there had not been so fine a Poem 

 since the time of Pope." But such was his diffidence, that he kept the manuscript by him 

 pome years; nor could he be prevailed on to publish it, till persuaded by Dr. Johnson, who 

 furnished him with some ideas for its enlargement. 



This Poem, in consequence of the reception it met with from the public, enhanced his 



