Goldsmith's Natural history : with notes from all the popular treatises that have been issued since the time of Goldsmith ... / [edited] by Henry Innes, with a life of Oliver Goldsmith by George Moir Bussey.
- Oliver Goldsmith
- Date:
- [18??]
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Goldsmith's Natural history : with notes from all the popular treatises that have been issued since the time of Goldsmith ... / [edited] by Henry Innes, with a life of Oliver Goldsmith by George Moir Bussey. Source: Wellcome Collection.
12/860
![H for his happiness always depended more upon the good opinion of others than upon himself; but the little of peevishness that was suffered to escape him, con* sisted of smart repartees, in which he sought to turn- the jests discharged on him upon the head of his assailants. He did something better, however, in his leisure, than squabble with the idle and the bmtal. He began to make verses, and to fancy that nature had designed him for a poet. It is not improbable that he and mankind owe the discovery and developement of his genius to his want of ])ersonal beauty ;—to that which made it necessaiy for him to draw upon himself for his enjoyments ;—to the creative power in his bosom, which loved to people its ideal world with happy human faces, in order to compensate for the repulses it was continually meeting with in actual lille. He read much, grew intoxicated with literature, and became an incurable rhymer. Fortunately his uncle and mother were capable of seeing through his “impenetrable studidit}',” and discerning the dawn of genius beyond. They had a good opinion of Oliver, encouraged his studies, and desired that he should have such an education given to him as might afford him a chance of making his way through life in a manner more congenial to him than at the desk of a mei’chant’s .counting-house. His father, with little demur, though it must have sorely tiisked his means,—whose narrowness had, from youth upwards, kept him ei^aged in that peipetual struggle of the poor man, whose table is surrounded by “ olive branches,” to “ make one guinea do the work of two,”—acquiesced ■with the general entreaty, and it was decided that Oliver, at a fitting age, should be sent to the University. To prepare him for his altered destiny, he was removed fi st to a school at Alhlone, and subsequently to one at Edgeworthstowu, in Lc-ugford—his relatives contributing a trifle each to ease the extra burden thus cast upon the poor old rector of lulkenny. A singular anecdote is related of Oliver’s last journey to l.dgeworthstown, previously to his entrance at college. Having left home on horseback, he reached Ardagh, where it was necessary for him to sleep, at night- fall. He had a guinea in his pocket, and was determined to enjoy himself. He asked for the best house in the place, and from a piece of Irish literal compre- hension, or waggery, was directed to a private house instead of an inn. Goldsmith had no thought of a mistake, and, being readily admitted by the icrvants—who—from his confidence concluded that he was some well-known Iriend and invited guest of their master—he gave directions concerning his horse, ;uid being shewn into the parlour, found there the owner of the mansion at his firu-sidfr a Mr. Featherstone, a gentleman of fortune, and somewhat of a wit. Goldsmith began to call about him with authority, as one entitled to attention; and, his host having soon detected the 3'oulh’s error, and being willing to enjoy an evening s amusement, humoured his guest, caused wine, and whatever else Oliver chose to order, to be brought him ; accepted with his wife and daughters an invitation to supper at his own table, and received with becoming attention strict mjunctions to have a hot cake readv for lireakfast on the following c^ed for his bill before quitting the house that the abashed school-lad discovered his blunder, and learned that he had been enter- ained at the residence of an old acquaintance of his father. / The adventure was su sequently made to furnish the main incident in the comedy of “ She stoops to (Jonquer.” •' ^ Goldsmiith was sent to Dublin and entered at Trinity College, the 11th of brother Henry had been a pensioner, and it is said ^ ^ of Oliver revolted at the humbler condition into which the dimi- parents caused him to be thrust. In his own opinion his nf** ®. of many of his subsequent mortifications, in depriving 1 consideration among his companions on which so much value is set ^ ^ duties and costume of the .sizar certainl}' furnish a revolting](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b29010585_0012.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
