among others, to which a place is given in library, rather from courtesy than affection. the contrary, if popularity arises gradually, production gains the favor of the public by degrees, by the approbation of the judicious of the lovers of simplicity and nature; if it pl es by an appeal to the affections, and is co pondent with the honest and unsophistic feelings of the heart; if by such means it beco generally read, and generally admired, it safely be predicted of such a work, that it live as long as the language in which it is v ten shall be current, and the taste which dis ered its merits shall remain pure.

Nor can we reckon popularity, although the opinion of some, the word is degradin matter of inferior importance to a poet. As the business of poetry is to please, the greater number to whom a poet affords pleasure, the ter he has attained the principal object of his And, perhaps, it will be found, that the best p in our language have been, at the same time, most popular; not those who have flashed fo time with all the brilliancy of fashion, and inj cious admiration, but those who worked t way, slowly and surely, into the favor of world, and have survived many revolution fashion and criticism.

The first of Goldsmith's poems, which pro ed him the reputation of a poet, was the Tra ler, published in 1765. The outlines, or sketches of this appear to have been formed

the

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if a slow

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comes

may will

writ.

SCOV.

h, in ing, a As the

er the

ring his travels in Europe; but the characters
which he has given of some of the nations of Eu-
rope, were probably the result of subsequent re-
flections, and reading, although originally foun-
ded on what he witnessed while performing his
journeys on foot, and mixing with those classes of
society, which other travellers are apt to over-
look. Of this poem it has been justly said, that the
sentiments are always interesting, and often new;
that the imagery is elegant, picturesque, and occa-
sionally sublime, and the language nervous, high-
ly finished, and full of harmony. Dr. Johnson's
opinion was, that 'since the death of Pope, it
would not be easy to find any thing equal to the
Traveller,' and the late celebrated Mr. Fox, de-
clared it was one of the finest poems in the Eng-
lish language.

The same year, he published his pathetic bal-
lad, The Hermit, which added considerably to
his fame, and recommended him to the patron-
age of the late Dutchess of Northumberland. It
is singular, that he had written and sold his nov.
el, The Vicar of Wakefield, to a bookseller,
sometime before these poems appeared; but the
bookseller had scarcely courage to publish it,
until their reputation assured him, that the au-
thor's name was now of importance. According.
ly the novel, on its appearance, was universally
read and admired, and is still one of the standard
books, of that kind, in our language. His lesser
poems are not without various degrees of merit.
The Haunch of Venison, and Retaliation, are

1

admirable specimens of that delicate humo which Goldsmith excelled as much when he up his pen, as he fell short of it when in conv tion. In the opinion of some critics, Dr. G smith's reputation as a poet wanted not the ai The Deserted Village, which they have co ered as inferior to his Traveller. This opir however, if we mistake not, has not coinc with that of the public at large. If mere p ularity be to decide, The Deserted Village certainly been oftener printed, and will be f oftener in the hands of Goldsmith's adm Perhaps, however, no critic of modern time discriminated their respective merits with nicety than Dr. Aikin. 'If,' says this judi critic, 'we compare these two principal poe Goldsmith, we may say, that the Travel formed upon a more regular plan, has a h purpose in view, more abounds in thoughts in the expression of moral and philosop ideas. The Deserted Village has more ima more variety, more pathos, more of the per character of poetry. In the first, the mor natural descriptions are more general and ted: in the second, they are more particula interesting. Both are truly original produ but the Deserted Village has less pecul and, indeed, has given rise to imitations, may stand in some parallel with it, whi Traveller remains an unique.

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MONODY

ON THE

DEATH OF DR. GOLDSMITH.

BY W. WOTY.

ADIEU, sweet bard! to each fine feeling true,
Thy virtues many, and thy foibles few;
Those form'd to charm e'en vicious minds-and

these,

Reader, if number'd in the muse's train,

With harmless mirth the social soul to please.
Another's wo thy heart could always melt;
None gave more free-for none more deeply felt.
Sweet bard, adieut thy own harmonious lays
Have sculptur'd out thy monument of praise;
Yes, these survive to time's remotest day;
While drops the bust, and mouruful tombs decay.

rity,

bich

the