"Mr. Hawes, "London, June 10, 1774. "In a few hours I purpose leaving town, and now return you most sincere thanks for your kind behaviour to me since my arrival here. I also am thoroughly convinced of your care, assiduity, and diligence with respect to my brother, Dr. Goldsmith. I am also convinced that as his affairs were put into your hands by Sir Joshua Reynolds, he could have chosen no one who would have acted with more caution and disinterestedness to him than you have done, for which you have my sincere wishes for the welfare of you and yours. I am Sir, with thanks and respects to your family, "Your much obliged humble servant, MAURICE GOLDSMITH." The spot chosen by Reynolds for the monument in Westminster Abbey, was an appropriate niche fortunately found vacant in Poets' Corner, between those of Gay and the Duke of Argyle, and though first intended to be given to Wilton, was executed by Nollekens, though not till after the lapse of several years. It presents a large medallion displaying a good resemblance of the face in profile, embellished with appropriate ornaments, beneath which is a tablet of white marble containing the well known inscription by Dr. Johnson. Fault has been found with the latinity of parts of this composition, though seemingly without sufficient cause; By a writer in the Classical Journal. No. xxvi. but there appears to be a determination that no modern shall be permitted to write in that language without being subjected to sharp critical animadversion. The circumstances attending the reception of the Epitaph among the friends of Goldsmith, though familiar in literary history, must not be omitted in the biography of him to whom it relates. At a dinner given by Sir Joshua Reynolds to several members of the club in 1776, the Epitaph written by Dr. Johnson for their late associate, became the subject of discussion; emendations were suggested for the consideration of the Doctor, but the difficulty was who should have courage to propose them. A Round Robin, such as sailors have had recourse to sometimes when discontented, and when the object was to conceal those who took the lead in stating the grievance by placing all the signatures to the paper in an equal position, was jocularly proposed and adopted. Dean Barnard drew up a witty address which was not adopted, as the Doctor might think it treated the subject with too much levity. Mr. Burke then dictated the following, which received general concurrence, Sir William Forbes, afterwards the biographer of Beattie, acting as clerk. While Society retains affection, In the parish of Forney, County of Longford, 29th November, 1731. He was educated in Dublin, 4th April, 1774. "We the circumscribers, having read with great pleasure, an intended epitaph for the monument of Dr. Goldsmith, which considered abstractedly, appears to be for elegant composition and masterly style, in every respect worthy of the pen of its learned author; are yet of opinion that the character of the deceased as a writer, particularly as a poet, is perhaps not delineated with all the exactness which Dr. Johnson is capable of giving it. We therefore, with deference to his superior judgment, humbly request that he would at least, take the trouble of revising it; and of making such additions and alterations as he shall think proper on a further perusal. But if we might venture to express our wishes, they would lead us to request that he would write the epitaph in English, rather than in Latin; as we think the memory of so eminent an English writer ought to be perpetuated in the language to which his works are likely to be so lasting an ornament, which we also know to have been the opinion of the late Doctor himself." The names signed around this sample of literary mutiny, were Edm. Burke, E. Gibbon, Jos. Warton, Thos. Franklin, Ant. Chamier, Geo. Colman, T. Barnard, R. B. Sheridan, P. Metcalf, W. Forbes, J. Reynolds, W. Vachell. Sir Joshua consented to deliver the paper, and escaped from so hazardous an adventure pretty well, being desired by the Doctor to tell the gentlemen, that he would alter the epitaph in any manner they pleased, as to the sense of it, but he would never consent to disgrace the walls of 2 M VOL. II. Westminster Abbey with an English inscription. Adding also, on observing Dr. Warton's name, "I wonder that Joe Warton, a scholar by profession, should be such a fool;" and further remarking, "I should have thought Mund Burke would have had more sense." Mr. Langton it appears was the only one of the company who refused to sign the paper. A Greek tetrastich also by the same great writer, honours the memory of his friend. Τὸν τάφον εἰσοράας τὸν Ὀλιβάροιο κονίην Several metrical imitations* of this have been given, but the following is nearer : "Thou beholdest the tomb of Oliver; press not O stranger with inconsiderate foot, the venerable dust. Ye who care for nature, for the charms of song, for the deeds of ancient times, weep for the Historian, the Naturalist, the Poet." Among other verses written upon his death, all of which spoke the language not merely of praise of the author, but of affection for the individual, Mr. W. Woty already mentioned, and one of his acquaintance since 1760, thus attempted to give him an Epitaph. *One of these, the best perhaps of the number, runs- Where Goldsmith's hallow'd dust is laid; |