LIFE OF GOLDSMITH. v 



literary character with the booksellers, and introduced him to the notice of several persons 

 eminent for their rank and superior talents, as Lord Nugent, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Dr. Nugent, 

 Beauclerc, Mr. Dyer, &c. These distinguished characters were entertained with his conver- 

 sation, and highly pleased with his blunders : at the same time they admired the elegance of 

 his poems and simplicity of the man. He published, the same year, a Collection of Essays, 

 which had previously appeared in the newspapers, magazines, and other periodical publica- 

 tions. But The Vicar of Wakefield, published in 1766, established his reputation as a Novelist. 



Goldsmith's finances augmented with his fame, and enabled him to live in a superior style; 

 for, soon after the publication of his Traveller, he changed his lodgings in Wine-Office-Court 

 for a set of chambers in the Inner Temple ; and at the same time, in conjunction with Mr. 

 Bolt, a literary friend, took a country house on the Edgware Road, for the benefit of the air, 

 and the convenience of retirement. He gave this little mansion the jocular appellation of the 

 Shoemaker's Paradise, being built in a fantastic style by its original possessor, who was one of 

 the craft. 



In this rural retirement he wrote his History of England, in a Series of Letters from a Noble* 

 man to his Son ; and, as an incontestible proof of the merit of this production, it was generally 

 supposed to have come from the pen of Lord Lyttleton, one of the most elegant writers of his 

 time: and it may be further observed, to enhance the reputation of the work, that it was never 

 disavowed by that Noble Lord to any of his most intimate friends. It had a very extensive 

 sale, and was introduced into many seminaries of learning as a most useful guide to the study 

 of English history. 



It was a true observation with the Doctor, that "of all his compilations, his Selection of . 

 ll'igliiih Poetry showed most the heart of the profession." To furnish copy for this work, it re- 

 quired no invention, and but little thought: he had only to mark with a pencil the particular 

 passages for the printer, so that he easily acquired two hundred pounds ; but then he observ- 

 ed, lest the premium should be deemed more than a compensation for the labour, "that a man 

 shows his judgment in these selections; and he may be often twenty years of his life in cul 

 tivating that judgment." 



His Comedy of the Good-natured Man was produced at Covent-Garden Theatre in 1768, 

 which, though it exhibited strong marks of genius, and keen observations on men and manner?, 

 did not at first meet with that applause which was due to its merit. The baiiiff scene was 

 generally reprobated, though the characters were well drawn ; but, to comply, however, with 

 the taste of the town, the scene was afterwards greatly abridged. Many parts were highly 

 applauded, as possessing great comic genius, and particularly that of Croaker, a character 

 truly original, excellently conceived by the Author, and highly supported by Shuter, the most 

 popular comedian of his day. The manner of his reading the incendiary letter in the fourth 

 pet, and the expression of the different passions by which he was agitated, produced shouts 



