Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/197

 GOLDSMITH. 195 of the Earth, and Animated Nature,” which he executed with much elegance, but no very deep knowledge of h i s subject. He also drew u p a “Life o f Dr. Parnell,” prefixed t o a n edition o f his poems, which afforded Dr. Johnson a n opportunity o f paying a n affectionate tribute t o his memory i n his Life o f Parnell, i n the English poets. He was also engaged b y the booksellers i n many compila tions; i n one o f which, b y some unaccountable inadvert ence, h e had nearly compromised his character a s a n author o f taste and morality. Mr. Griffin the bookseller, of Catherine-street, had desired him t o make a selection o f classical English Tales, for the use o f boarding schools, i n which h e marked for the printer, one o f the most inde cent tales o f Prior. His biographer adds, “ without reading it.” This, however, could not b e the case, a s i t i s introduced b y a criticism. I n 1769, h e produced his elegant poem “The Deserted Village,” which h e finished with the greatest care and attention previous t o i t s publication. How much i t added t o his reputation need scarcely b e mentioned. A curious circumstance, however, relative t o i t s publication, i s highly interesting, a s i t evinces the peculiar simplicity and honesty o f his character. Mr. Griffin had given him a note o f one hundred guineas for the copy; a friend o f Goldsmith's t o whom he mentioned i t , observed, that i t was a large sum for s o short a poem; “In truth,” replied Goldsmith, “I think s o too; i t i s near five shillings a couplet, which i s much more than the honest man can afford, and indeed, more than any modern poetry i s worth. I have not been easy since I received it; I will go back and return him his note;” which h e actually did. The sale, however, was s o rapid, that the bookseller soon paid him the hundred guineas, with proper acknowledgments for the generosity o f his conduct. At the establishment o f the Royal Academy o f paint 'ing, i n 1770, his friend Sir Joshua Reynolds, procured for him the professorship o f ancient history; a n honorary distinction, attended neither with emolument nor trouble, WOL. I . I. O