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582 ~ Original Anecdotes of Goldfmith. 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
a? eat " 
WN the Biographies of Goldfmith, it is 
mentioned, that he was for fome time 
an affiftant at an academy near town.— 
From a refpeGtable lady (lately vifiting at 
my houfe), -the daughter of the majier of 
that academy, I have obtained the follow- 
ing particulars refpefting Goldimith, 
which, though inconfiderable, are not al- 
together undeferving of attention. 
The academy near town in which Dr. 
Goldfmith officiated as an affifant, was 
at Peckham, under the care of Dr John 
Milner, who publifhed a Greek and Latin 
Grammar, which have been much efteem- 
ed by the literary world. He was a Dil- 
fenting Miniiter of eminence; and his fu- 
neral fermon was preached by Dr. Samuel 
Chandler, well known for his able writ- 
ings in behalf of Chriftianity. Dr. Mil- 
ner died about the year 1760, and Dr. 
~Goldfmith was employed by him as an 
ufher near three years. He was not in- 
deed with him at the time of his death ; 
but fo much was he refpefted by the wi- 
dow and the family, that he was invited 
to return and take care of the feminary, 
which was continued fome little time 
longer—with which requeft he complied. 
Dr. Goldfmith came to Peckham from 
Richardfon, the celebrated novel-wrifer, 
at that period a printer near Blackfriars, 
Here he was cccupied in correéting the 
prefs ; and of Richard{on and his family 
he always fpok2 in terms of .refpet and 
gratitude. He had alfo at that time fome 
acquaintance with Dr. Griffiths, the ve- 
nerable proprietor and editor of the 
Monthly Review, to which refpeétable 
pericdical publication he even then con- 
tributed articles of criticifm. From this 
gentleman he received confiderable pa- 
tronage, and therefore to M75 kindnefs he 
often profeffed himfelf much indebted. — 
Previous to his engagement at the acade- 
my, he had travelled through many parts 
of Europe, and was tolerably well ac- 
quainted with the Latin and French lan- 
guages. Thele he taught, and the latter 
he {poke with facility. As to his perfon, 
he was of middle ftature, fair complexicn,’ 
-wore a large wig, flovenly in his drefs, 
but peffeffing a benevolent countenance 
and a cheertui demeanour, If he thought 
any one flighted him, or ufed him ill, it 
eccafioned a great dejeétion 3 but other- 
wife he was a moft charming companion. 
He played frequently, but indifferently, on_ 
the German flute. [In his converfation he 
difcovered a very general acquaintance 
with books, and had a thorough know- 
ied ge of the cuftoms and manners of man- 
kind. 
In his diet he was very tempe~ 
[ Dec. Is 
rate—in his behaviour unaffluming ; and 
the young gentlemen were never fo happy ~ 
as when they could get him on a-winter’s 
evening to tel] them anecdotes, withwhich 
his mind was weli ftored. But alas! he 
never was an economift. Out of his 
{canty falary of tqvexzty pounds ayear, he 
frequently gave to perfons in diftrefs— 
making a point of never fending a poor 
author away without halfa crown! He 
had not a few of thefe latter applications. 
Hence it was that he generally, applied for 
his falary before it came due; and one’ 
day, upon an application of the kind te 
Mrs. Milner, fhe fmiling faid—‘* You 
had better, Mr. Goldfmith, let me keep 
your money for you as I do for fome of 
the young gentlemen ;"’ to which he re- 
plied, with great good humour, ** In 
truth, Madam, there is equal need,” and 
pleafantly walked away. Upon his leav- 
ing Peckham, he fubfifted on what his 
talents brought him as a writer 3 and 
once a relation of Dr. Milner being in 
company with him, he told himthat Lord 
Bute had folicited the aid of his pen—but 
that his reply was—** J will proflitute my 
talents tono man!” The lady to whom 
I am indebted for thefe particulars, alio 
informed me, that her brother, the late 
Dr Milner, for many years a refpeétable 
phyfician at Maiditone, once called on 
Goldfmith at the Temple, where he had 
very genteel lodgings, and a confiderable 
library. But he was afterwards obliged 
to part with them on account of pecu- 
niary embarrafiments. Indeed he was, 
like tco many other literary charaéters, 
often flraitened in circumftances, through 
an entire want of that humble but moft 
efientia] virtue, economy. 
Such, Mr. Editer, are the particulars 
which I have obtained relative. to the late 
Dr. Goldfmith. On their authenticity 
you may rely: therefore, Where they co- 
incide with the faéts already recorded in 
the Lives of him, they add a degree of 
confirmation ; and whatever is new, mufk 
gratify our curiofity., To ordinary read- 
ers they may appear trivial, whilft by 
others they may be deemed of fome im- 
portance, as referring to an individual, 
trom whole writings they have derived ne 
fmail portion of entertainment and in- 
firution. Should this imperfect commu- 
Nication to your valuable Mifcellany, 
prove the means of fnatching only one 
trait of fo excellent an author from obli- 
vion, the trouble I have taken will be 
abundantly compenfated.. ; 
I remain, Sir, yours, &c. 
; Joun EvaNnse 
Pullen’s row, Iflington, f 
OG, 34, 1302. To 
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OE a 
