PRINTED FOR J. JOHNSON, G. AND J. ROBINSON, W. J.
AND J. RICHARDSON, W. OTRIDGE AND SON, F. AND C,
RIVINGTON, J. MATTHEWS, J. WALKER, W. LOWNDES,
J. SCATCHERD, G. WILKIE, P. MCQUEEN, LONGMAN AND
REES, VERNOR AND HOOD, CADELL, JUN. AND DAVIES,
MURRAY AND HIGHLEY, AND E. NEWBERY,

By H. Baldwin and Son, New Bridge-street.

1801.

ADVERTISEMENT.

IN collecting and republishing thefe fcattered productions of a writer, who has deferved by the fimple and enchanting graces of his ftyle (both in profe and rhyme) to be esteemed as a Claffic in our language, the Editor conceives that he cannot more properly recommend them to the notice of the Public, than by tranf cribing the brief but comprehenfive Eulogy, which Dr. Johnfon has bestowed on Goldfmith.

"He was a man of fuch variety of powers, and fuch felicity of performance, that he always feemed to do beft that which he was doing; a man who had the art of being minute without tedioufnefs, and general without confufion; whofe language was copious without exuberance, exact without constraint, and eafy without weakness."

The account of his life is compofed from the information of perfons, who were intimate with the Poet at an early period, and who were honoured with a continuance of his friendship till the time, when the world was deprived of this fafcinating writer. Their names,

were

were the Editor at liberty to mention them, would

1

immediately difpel all doubts as to the authenticity of the Memoirs, and reflect diftinguished credit on the publication.

In addition to the acknowledged performances of our Author, the Editor has introduced into thefe volumes feveral Effays, which appeared in the periodical works of the day, and which he has afcertained to have proceeded from the pen of Dr. Goldsmith.