whence each piece is derived, and to explain the least obvious allusions. I have avoided criticism; and, in various instances, have called on the poet to act as his own commentator.

The memoir is chiefly made up of bibliography, and this must always be the case in so short an account of so fertile a writer. I am conscious of its defects; and shall be perfectly satisfied if it escape with no other censure than as a "very unpoetical detail of the life of a poet."

The designs which illustrate the text have been furnished by five members of THE ETCHING CLUB; and it is believed that the applause which those artists received as contributors to the late exquisite edition of The deserted village will promptly greet them on the present occasion. As in the poemsthe pathetic and the comic of social life, the sublimity and the amenity of inanimate nature, conspire to instruct and delight. The wood-engravers, moreover, appear to have exerted themselves in the true spirit of emulation,

When I undertook the editorship of this volume,

at the request of Mr. Longman, the possibility of assembling the fugitive pieces of which it is composed, and the various works which it seemed desirable to consult, had not been sufficiently considered. The pursuit occupied much valuable time, and was too frequently unavailing; but the principal difficulties which occurred have fortunately been removed by the communications of the right honourable Henry Labouchere, M. P.-sir Henry Bunbury, baronet-the reverend Philip Bliss, D.C.L. -the reverend Peter Hall, M.A.-William Knight, esquire, F.S.A.—and my friend John Payne Collier, esquire, F.S.A.—to all of whom I have the pleasure of offering my best acknowledgements.

Barnes Terrace, Surrey.

Bolton Corney.

AN extended account of the life and numerous writings of Goldsmith, whatever interest it might chance to possess, would form an unsuitable companion to an ornamented edition of his poetical works; and I need not, therefore, apologise for the brevity of the narrative which follows.

I undertake the task, even on so limited a scale, with much reluctance. The career of this eminent man has

been very imperfectly traced. On various events of his life we have discordant versions-the line of separation between truth and fiction being involved in hopeless obscurity; and as to the history of his works, on which exactness of information would seem to be more attainable, the most embarrassing discrepancies prevail. We have five reports on his birthplace; and about the same number on the composition and disposal of The vicar of Wakefield.

A detail of such conflicting statements, and of the evidence by which each is supported, would be as unwelcome to the lovers of biography as to the lovers of verse. I propose, therefore, to reject whatever appears least credible; and, on every point of importance, to cite my authority.

OLIVER GOLDSMITH was born at Pallice, a hamlet. near Ballymahon, in the county of Longford, Ireland, on the 10th of November 1728. He was the fifth child of the reverend Charles Goldsmith, who had resided ten years at Pallice, by Ann, daughter of the reverend Oliver Jones of Elphin.-His birthplace is now a collection of mere cabins.1

1 Percy, Life of Goldsmith, p. 1.-prefixed to his Miscellaneous Works. London, 1801. 8vo. 4 vols. [This anonymous memoir

Mr. Goldsmith, who at that time was unbeneficed, obtained the rectory of Kilkenny-west about the year 1730; and removed with master Oliver to the village of Lishoy— the scenery of which made a deep impression on his memory.2

After some rudimental instruction from a female who was allied to the family, he was placed at the diocesan school of Elphin, to be prepared for a mercantile employment; but, in consequence of his fondness for books, and occasional displays of poetic cleverness, it was resolved to give him a more liberal education-the reverend Thomas Contarine, and other clerical relations, offering to defray a portion of the expense.3

He was therefore sent to a classical school at Athlone, where he remained about two years; and was then placed under the tuition of the reverend Edward Hughes, vicar of the parish of Shruel, at Ballymahon-to which town

was compiled under the direction of Bishop Percy. The volumes were edited by Samuel Rose, Esq. barrister-at-law. ]+James Prior, F.S. A. etc. The life of Oliver Goldsmith, M.B. From a variety of original sources. London, 1837. 8vo. 2 vols. [An elaborate specimen of biography.]-i. 14.—from the family Bible.

2 Percy, p. 2; and p. 43.-Oliver Goldsmith to Daniel Hodson, Esq. 3 The reverend Annesley Strean, M. D.-His anecdotes are printed in An essay on light reading. London, 1808. Sm. 8vo. p. 36, etc. + Percy, p. 4, etc.-from Catherine, eldest sister of Oliver, and wife of Daniel Hodson, Esq.