Detection her taper shall quench to a spark, And Scotchman meet Scotchman,1 and cheat in the dark. Here lies David Garrick, describe me who can, Of praise a mere glutton, he swallowed what came "And gods meet gods, and jostle in the dark." See Farquhar's Love in a Bottle, vol. i. p. 150. 2 Hugh Kelly, author of "False Delicacy," ""Word to the Wise," "Clementina," "School for Wives," &c. &c, died 1777. 3 William Woodfall, printer of the Morning Chronicle, died 1803. What a commerce was yours, while you got and you gave! How did Grub-street re-echo the shouts that you raised, While he was be-Rosciused, and you were bepraised! But peace to his spirit, wherever it flies, 120 To act as an angel and mix with the skies: Here Hickey reclines, a most blunt, pleasant creature, And slander itself must allow him good nature; The following poems by Mr. Garrick, may, in some measure, account for the severity exercised by Dr. Goldsmith, in respect to that gentleman: JUPITER AND MERCURY. A FABLE. Here Hermes, says Jove, who with nectar was mellow, Without cause be he pleased, without cause be he cross: A great love of truth, yet a mind turned to fictions! Set fire to the head, and set fire to the tail: For the joy of each sex, on the world I'll bestow it, 130 He cherished his friend, and he relished a bumper, He was, could he help it?—a special attorney. Here Reynolds is laid, and, to tell you my mind, He has not left a wiser or better behind; His pencil was striking, resistless, and grand; His manners were gentle, complying, and bland; Still born to improve us in every part, 141 His pencil our faces, his manners our heart: When they talked of their Raphaels, Correggios, and stuff, He shifted his trumpet,1 and only took snuff. * * * * * 2 ON DR. GOLDSMITH'S CHARACTERISTICAL COOKERY. A JEU D'ESPRIT. Are these the choice dishes the doctor has sent us? Sir Joshua Reynolds was so remarkably deaf as to be under the necessity of using an ear-trumpet in company, he was also a great snuff-taker. 2 This poem is unfinished; had Goldsmith lived, be would have concluded it with an Epitaph on himself. POSTSCRIPT. After the fourth edition of this poem was printed, the publisher received the following epitaph on Mr. Whitefoord,' from a friend of the late Doctor Goldsmith. ERE Whitefoord reclines, and deny it. who can, Though he merrily lived, he is now a Rare compound of oddity, frolic, and fun! 10 What pity, alas! that so liberal a mind Should so long be to newspaper essays confined! Who perhaps to the summit of science could soar, Yet content" if the table he set on a roar;" Whose talents to fill any station was fit, Yet happy if Woodfall3 confessed him a wit. 1 Mr. Caleb Whitefoord, author of many humorous essays. 2 Mr. W. was so notorious a punster, that Doctor Goldsmith used to say it was impossible to keep him company, without being infected with the itch of punning. 3 Mr. H. S. Woodfall, printer of the Public Advertiser. 20 Ye newspaper witlings! ye pert scribbling folks? Who copied his squibs, and re-echoed his jokes ; Ye tame imitators, ye servile herd, come, Still follow your master, and visit his tomb: To deck it, bring with you festoons of the vine, And copious libations bestow on his shrine; Then strew all around it (you can do no less) Cross readings, Ship news, and Mistakes of the press.1 Merry Whitefood, farewell! for thy sake I admit That a Scot may have humour, I had almost said wit: This debt to thy memory I cannot refuse, "Thou best-humoured man with the worst-humoured muse."2 Mr. Whitefoord frequently indulged the town with humorous pieces under these titles in the Public Advertiser. On C. Whitefoord, see Smith's Life of Nollekens, vol. i. p. 338-340. See his poem to Sir Joshua Reynolds, "Admire not, dear knight," in Northcote's Life of Reynolds, p. 128. 2 "When you and Southern, Moyle, and Congreve meet, The best good men, with the best natured wit." C. Hopkins. v. Nicholls' Col. Poems, ii. p. 207. |