ing that the public should consider
me as owing that to a patron which Providence has enabled me to do for
myself.

"Having carried on my work thus far with so little obligation to any
favourer of learning, I shall not be disappointed though I should
conclude it, if less be possible, with less; for I have been long
wakened from that dream of hope in which I once boasted myself with so
much exultation.

"MY LORD,

"Your lordship's most humble, most obedient servant,

"SAM JOHNSON."

OLIVER GOLDSMITH.

(1728-1774.)

XLI. THE RETALIATION.

The origin of the following satire is told by Boswell (who was
prejudiced against Goldsmith) in this wise: "At a meeting of a
company of gentlemen who were well known to each other and
diverting themselves among other things with the peculiar oddities
of Dr. Goldsmith, who would never allow a superior in any art, from
writing poetry down to dancing a hornpipe, Goldsmith, with great
eagerness, insisted on matching his epigrammatic powers with
Garrick's. It was determined that each should write the other's
epitaph. Garrick immediately said his epitaph was finished, and
spoke the following distich extempore:

"'Here lies Nolly Goldsmith, for shortness called Noll,
Who wrote like an angel, but talked like poor Poll'.

"Goldsmith would not produce his at the time, but some weeks after,
read to the company this satire in which the characteristics of
them all were happily hit off."

Of old, when Scarron his companions invited,
Each guest brought his dish, and the feast was united;
If our landlord supplies us with beef and with fish,
Let each guest bring himself, and he brings a good dish:
Our Dean shall be venison, just fresh from the plains;
Our Burke shall be tongue, with a garnish of brains;
Our Will shall be wild fowl, of excellent flavour;
And Dick with his pepper shall heighten their savour;
Our Cumberland's sweet-bread its place shall obtain,
And Douglas is pudding, substantial and plain:
Our Garrick a salad, for in him we see
Oil, vinegar, sugar, and saltness agree:
To make out the dinner, full certain I am
That Ridge is anchovy, and Reynolds is lamb;
That Hickey's a capon; and, by the same rule,
Magnanimous Goldsmith a gooseberry-fool.
At a dinner so various, at such a repast,
Who'd not be a glutton, and stick to the last?
Here, waiter, more wine