acquainted the servants, that I had particular business with his Grace. They shewed me into an antichamber; where, after waiting some time, a gentleman very genteely dressed made his appearance. Taking him for the Duke, I delivered all the fine things I had composed, in order to compliment him on the honour he had done me; when, to my great astonishment, he told me I had mistaken him for his master, who would see me immediately. At that instant, the Duke came into the apartment, and I was so confused on the occasion, that I wanted words barely sufficient to express the sense I enter tained of the Duke's politeness, and went away extremely chagrined at the blunder I had committed."

Another feature of his character we cannot help re cording. Previous to the publication of his "Deserted Village," the Bookseller had given him a note for one hundred guineas for the copy, which the doctor mentioned a few hours after to one of his friends, who observed, that is was a very great sum for so short a performance. "In truth," replied Goldsmith, "I think so too; I have not been easy since I receiv ed it; therefore I will go back and return him his note;" which he absolutely did, and left it entirely to the bookseller, to pay him according to the profits which should accrue from the sale of the piece, which, however, turned out to be very considerable.

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During the last rehearsal of his comedy intitled "She Stoops to Conquer," which Mr. Coleman, the manager, had no opinion would succeed, on the doc tor's objecting to the repetition of one of Tony Lumpkin's speeches, being apprehensive it might injure the play, Mr. C. with great keenness, replied, psha, my dear doctor, do not be fearful of squibs, when we have been sitting almost these two hours upon a bar. rel of gunpowder." The piece, however, contrary to Mr. Coleman's expectations, was received by the audience with uncommon applause, and Goldsmith's pride was so much hurt by the severity of the above

observation, that it entirely put an end to his friendship for the gentleman who made it.

Notwithstanding the great success of his pieces, by some of which, it is asserted, on good authority, that he cleared, in one year, about 8,000 dollars, his circumstances were, by no means, in a prosperous situation; which was partly owing to the excessive liberality of his disposition, and partly owing to an unfortunate habit he had contracted of gaming, the arts of which he but very little understood.

Just before his death, he had formed a design for executing an Universal Dictionary of arts and sciences, the prospectus of which he had actually published.

In this work, several of his literary friends, particularly Sir Joshua Reynolds, Dr. Johnson, Mr. Beauelerc and Mr. Garrick, had undertaken to furnish him with articles upon different subjects, and he had entertained the most sanguine expectations from the success of it. The undertaking, however, did not meet with that encouragement from the booksellers, which he had imagined it would undoubtedly receive; and he used to lament this circumstance almost to the last hour of his existence.

He had been for some years, afflicted at different times with a violent strangury, which contributed not a little to embitter the latter part of his life; and, which united with the vexations he suffered upon other occasions, brought on a kind of habitual despondency. In this unhappy condition, he was attacked by a nervous fever, to which he at last fell a victim, in consequence, as it has been said, of his own unmanageable temper; for he obstinately persisted, contrary to medical advice, in taking James's powder, a remedy which has preserved the lives of thousands, but which in the hands of ignorance or temerity, has been productive of considerable mischief. His death happened on the 4th of April, 1774.

The universal esteem, in which his poems were held, and the repeated pleasure they gave in the pe

rusal, is a striking test of their merit. He was a sta dious and correct observer of nature; happy in the selection of his images, in the choice of his subjects and in the harmony of his versification; and though his embarrassed situation prevented him from putting the last hand to many of his productions, his "Her mit," his "Traveller" and his "Deserted Village," bid fair to claim a place among the most finished pieces in the English language.

But with all his accomplishments, and powers, he does not appear to have been either wise or happy. Though simple, honest, humane and generous, he was irritable, passionate, peevish and sullen, and spleen has run so high with him, that he is said often to have left a party of convivial friends abruptly in the evening, in order to go home and brood over his misfortunes. Simplicity, however, united to the most bril liant talents, were his distinguised characteristics.Hence no line more descriptive of him than that of Pope can well be imagined:

“In wit a man, simplicity a child.”

Want of economy was perhaps, the principal, if not the sole source of all his uneasiness: for the money which he received for his various publications, would, if properly applied, have been amply sufficient to have placed him far above the fear of want; and to have enabled him to pass the evening of his days free from anxiety in respect to pecuniary concerns. A total negligence, however, in regard to his private affairs, kept him continually involved, in consequence of which, his mind was often highly irritated, his days greatly imbittered and his death accelerated.

Such an example should infuse into the minds of young men a portion of necessary pride, not that species of pride which is gratified by the cut of a coat or the display of an enormous cravat; but that honest, that manly pride of independence, which diligently siezing the golden hours of youth and opportunity, will not suffer the drones of apathy or intemperance,

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placed by fortune above the necessity of industry, to seduce them from the great work of life. For in the decline of health, fame, age or fortune, those very men to whose follies or vices, they have given up their nights and days, will be the first to desert them, ridicule their difficulties, expose their weakness and insult their distress.

Besides the works of Goldsmith, which we have already mentioned, he wrote 1 "The History of the Earth and Animated Nature," in 6 vols. 8 vo. 2 "History of England," in 4 vols. 8vo. 3. " History of Rome," 2 vols. 4. " Abridgments of the two last for schools," 5. Miscellanies, &c.

GORDON, (HON. GEORGE) commonly called Lord George Gordon, was the third son of the late duke of Gordon, and born in London, Dec. 19th, 1750. After he had finished his education, he entered the navy at an early age. His lordship was remarkable from his infancy for the qualities of cheerfulness, and a boon companion. He did not, however, display that enterprising spirit, which distinguishes the boy above his fellows, and afterwards characterizes the hero amongst men. His genius was purely social: he was a facetious good humoured being, who made all his shipmates love him, and his temper was tinctured with those qualities, which serve to make a man rather amiable than great, rather happy than famous. Good nature was his predominant feature, and of so large a portion of this endearing virtue was he possessed, that he was never known in any one moment of vivacity or exhilaration to sacrifice it to a joke, or suspend it for the exercise of his wit. Through life, he displayed a remarkable alacrity in insinuating himself into the good graces of those with whom he conversed; and, in this respect, he was greatly assisted by his person. The qualities of his heart realized the impressions which his appear

ance gave, and no man was, in his younger years, blest with more friends and fewer enemies than he.

A very remarkable instance of his success was seen at the general election, which took place about the year 1776. Two years before the time of election, his lordship went to reside in Invernesshire, with the purpose of standing candidate for that county, in opposition to General Fraser. He employed those two years in a canvass; and he was so successful in his application, that, without the adventitious aids of bribery and corruption, too common in Great Britain, he secured a majority of votes. He visited every part of the county, and particularly the isles. He played on the bagpipes and violin to those who loved music. He spoke Galic, and wore the tartan plaid and fillibeg, in places where they were national. He made love to the young ladies, and listened with the utmost patience, while the old gave him an account of their clans; and, to crown his success, he gave the gentry a ball at Inverness, to which he not only invited, but actually brought the young and the old from every part of the country. For this purpose, he hired a ship, and brought from the isle of Sky, the beautiful family of the Macleods, consisting of fifteen young ladies, who were the pride and admiration of the north.

General Fraser was very much grieved to see his interest thus overturned by a mere lad. He had represented the county for three successive parliaments, and was more hurt that the Lovat interest should be destroyed in the county, than at the sum which he must divest to retrieve it. He went to Lord George's brother, the duke, and by a compromise, agreed to purchase an English Borough for him, if he would relinquish the Shire of Inverness. This agreement being made, General Fraser purchased from Lord .Melbourne, a seat for his Lordship from the Borough of Luggershall.

Being thus introduced into the house of commons,