Doctors of Samuel Johnson and his court / by James P. Warbasse.

  • Warbasse, James Peter, 1866-1957.
Date:
1908
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Doctors of Samuel Johnson and his court / by James P. Warbasse. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    Ward and the others, who kept themselves in the public eye through the advertising sheets of the day. Then came the Literary Club” with Johnson and the rest at the Turk’s Head. And then appeared “The Traveller,” which at once brought him into prominence as a poet the equal of Pope. Again he took up the practice of physic at the advice of Reynolds, but failed completely, only to fall back upon literary work as a means of livelihood. At Brick Court, where he spent the remainder of his days, his apartments were directly over those of Blackstone, busy on his “Commentaries,” and who was often interrupted by the roistering of Goldsmith and his con- vivial guests. When the King appointed Goldsmith professor of ancient history, without salary, in the Royal Academy, which he had recently established. Goldsmith wrote that he took it rather as a compliment to the institution, saying that honors to one in his situation “are something like ruffles to one that wants a shirt.” In his writings Goldsmith displayed a wonderful power of beautiful English e.xpression, yet in conversation he failed utterly. It was Garrick who characterized Goldsmith, “—for shortness called Noll, Who wrote like an angel, and talked like poor poll.” Johnson said, “The misfortune of Goldsmith in conver- sation is this: he goes on without knowing how he is to get off. 11 is genius is great, but his knowledge is small.” Goldsmith had little money, and gave away liberally what little he had. He wrote, sang songs, ate, drank and was withal a merry man. He is found at his be.st in “The Deserted Village,” which must lx* designated as one of the sweetest and most cha.ste e.xamples of simple English verse. She Stoops to Conquer,” which stands in the front rank of masterpieces of English comedy, is ])robably the best known of his dramatic productions. He wrote biographies and history, among which are an History of Greece and an History of Englanil. His two great poems, “The De.serted Village” and “The Traveller,” are among the first lessons of the yopng and the cherished memories of the old. His essays and letters hold a secure place among the finest e.xamples of English style. In his last illness he was attended by W illiam Hawes, sur- geon apothecary, who had in consultation Dr. Turton and Dr. I'ordyce. He died at the age of 45, and was buried in the bury-