By Mr. Nugent he is believed to have been first made known to the Earl of Northumberland, then in London but holding the office of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, as a man of genius belonging to that country and deserving of his patronage. Willing to attend to the recommendation, the Earl invited him to an interview, of which a ludicrous story has long been told as the result. Mistaking by this account, the groom of the chambers for his Lordship, he addressed him in a set speech prepared for his master, who entering the room before the confusion occasioned by the error had been recovered, the Poet having lost his presence of mind, stammered out indistinct answers to the

wondered that when that gentleman could not convince himself by his eloquence, he should expect to convince the majority.'

July 22d, 1744, in allusion to Nugent's marriages, "Lord Middlesex is going to be married to Miss Boyle, Lady Shannon's daughter; she has thirty thousand pounds, and may have as much more, if her mother who is a plump widow don't happen to Nugentize."

To his name in the first of these quotations Lord Dover appends a note:

"Robert Nugent, a poet, a patriot, an author, a Lord of the Treasury, and finally an Irish peer by the titles of Lord Clare and Earl Nugent. He seems to have passed his long life in seeking lucrative places, and courting rich widows, in both of which pursuits he was eminently successful."

It may be observed that having commenced life poor, and a Roman Catholic, he acquired wealth, titles, and offices of honour and trust as a Protestant; and at the conclusion of his career, returned to his original (the Romish) faith, and also brought up his only daughter in it.

inquiries of his Excellency, and the meeting ended unsatisfactorily to both. Had this blunder really occurred, it could scarcely have transpired except through himself, and it is not probable he gave currency to what must have made him a subject of ridicule. If mistake, even in part, took place, the consequences, however diffident he may have been, could scarcely have deprived him so wholly of self-confidence as is said; and the Earl was too much a man of the world not to make allowance for the embarrassment, had there been such, of a visitor of whose merits he was aware and whose wants he sought to know. But the account appears wholly a fabrication taken, like another adventure that requires likewise to be mentioned, from his own writings of an earlier date than the supposed Occurrence. The origin of the story seems to be in the Vicar of Wakefield, where George Primrose describes his visit to the house of a nobleman :

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During this anxious interval I had full time to look round me. Every thing was grand and of happy contrivance; the paintings, the furniture, the gildings, petrified me with awe, and raised my idea of the owner. Ah, thought I to myself, how very great must the possessor of all these things be, who carries in his head the business of the state, and whose house displays half the wealth of a kingdom: sure his genius must be unfathomable ! During these awful reflections, I heard a step come heavily forward. Ah, this is the great man himself! No, it was only a chambermaid. Another

foot was heard soon after. This must be he! No; it was only the great man's valet de chambre. At last his lordship actually made his appearance. Are you, cried he, the bearer of this here letter? I answered with a bow. I learn by this, continued he, as how that But just at that instant the servant delivered him a card, and without taking farther notice, he went out of the room and left me to digest my own happiness at leisure."

The real circumstances attending the interview we learn from Sir John Hawkins; his testimony admits of no doubt, being partly a witness on the occasion, while his prejudices acting rather against than in favour of Goldsmith, we have a guarantee if his account required any, that nothing which impeached the Poet's good sense or knowledge of the world is concealed.

"Having one day," says Sir John, "a call to make on the late Duke, then Earl, of Northumberland, I found Goldsmith waiting for an audience in an outer room: I asked him what had brought him there; he told me an invitation from his lordship. I made my business as short as I could, and as a reason mentioned that Dr. Goldsmith was waiting without. The Earl asked me whether I was acquainted with him; I told him I was, adding what I thought likely to recommend him. I retired, and staid in the outer room to take him home. Upon his coming out I asked him the result of his conversation His lordship,' says he, 'told me he had read my poem (meaning the Traveller) and

was much delighted with it; that he was going Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and that hearing I was a native of that country, he should be glad to do me any kindness.'-' And what did you answer,' asked I, 'to this gracious offer?' 'Why,' said he, "I could say nothing but that I had a brother there, a clergyman, who stood in need of help: as for myself I have no dependence on the promises of great men: I look to the booksellers for support; they are my best friends, and I am not inclined to forsake them for others.' Thus did this idiot in the affairs of the world, trifle with his fortunes, and put back the hand that was held out to assist him! Other offers of a like kind he either rejected or failed to improve, contenting himself with the patronage of one nobleman, whose mansion afforded him the delights of a splendid table, and a retreat for a few days from the metropolis."

The harshness of these remarks is characteristic of Sir John's usual manner. Goldsmith, however he may have erred as a man of the world in attempting to divert the stream of official bounty from himself towards his brother, exhibits a disinterestedness and affection which every warm and benevolent mind will estimate as it deserves. Unfortunately his aim did not succeed, perhaps from the Earl not proceeding to Ireland as was anticipated, and the result may point a new proverb in selfishness, or strengthen an old one in proving, that the most effectual way of assist

ing our friends, is first to assist ourselves. In this instance it might have been literally fulfilled, for had a small appointment, or pension, been assigned him sufficient to ward off the pressure of absolute want-and it is much to be regretted that nothing of this kind was ever done - the fruits of it might have been given to his brother in case he could not otherwise have succeeded in providing for him. But no doubt exists, of which we shall hereafter find proof, that a sturdy spirit of independence influenced him in part, from an erroneous idea perhaps that political services might be expected from his pen.

The Earl at a future period in conversation with Dr. Percy respecting him, said, that had he been informed at the time of the desire of Goldsmith to travel into Asia for the purposes contemplated, he would have taken care to furnish him with sufficient means by a salary on the Irish establishment; and in doing so, should have felt he was merely fulfilling a duty to that country in patronising its enterprise and genius.

The other story told of him in connexion with this of the Earl of Northumberland, is meant to support the general belief exaggerated probably or untrue, of his being frequently duped by impositions. A bailiff, according to the tale, having been frequently foiled in attempting to arrest our author, at length hit upon the device of writing a letter to him in the assumed character of a nobleman's steward, requesting a meeting at a certain coffee