ADVERTISEMENT. Dr. Goldsmith, and some of his friends, occasionally dined at the St. James's coffee-house.....One day it was proposed to write epitaphs on him. His country, dialect, and person, furnished subjects of witticism. He was called on for RETALIATION, and, at their next meeting, produced the following Poem. RETALIATION. OF old, when Scarron his companions invited, Our deant shall be venʼson just fresh from the plains; *The master of the St. James's coffee-house, where the Doctor, and the friends he has characterized in this Poem occasionally dined. † Doctor Bernard, dean of Derry in Ireland. Right Hon. Edmund Burke. Mr. William Burke, late secretary to general Con way and member for Bedwin. ** Mr. Richard Burke, collector of Grenada. Our Cumberland's* sweetbread its place shall obtain; And Douglast is pudding, substantial and plain: Our Garrick's‡ a salad; for in him we see Oil, vinegar, sugar, and saltness agree: To make out the dinner, full certain I am, * Mr. Richard Cumberland, author of the West-Indian, Fashionable Lover, the Brothers, and other dramatic pieces. Dr. John Douglas, now bishop of Salisbury, a native of Scotland, who has no less distinguished himself as a citizen of the world, than a sound critic, in detecting several literary mistakes (or rather forgeries) of his countrymen; particularly Lauder on Miltor, and Bower's History of the Popes. David Garrick, Esq. || Counsellor John Ridge, a gentleman belonging to the Irish bar. ** Sir Joshua Reynolds. tt An eminent attorney At a dinner so various, at such a repast, Who'd not be a glutton, and stick to the last? Here, waiter, more wine, let me sit while I'm able, Till all my companions sink under the table; Then, with chaos and blunders encircling my head, Let me ponder, and tell what I think of the dead. Here lies the good dean,* re-united to earth, Who mixt reason with pleasure, and wisdom with mirth: If he had any faults, he has left us in doubt.... At least, in six weeks I could not find 'em out; Here lies our good Edmund,† whose genius was such, We scarcely can praise it, or blame it, too much; Who, born for the universe, narrow'd his mind, And to party gave up what was meant for mankind. * Vide page 73. † Ibid. Though fraught with all learning, yet straining his throat, To persuade Tommy Townshend* to lend him a vote; Though equal to all things, for all things unfit, Here lies honest William,† whose heart was a mint, While the owner ne'er knew half the good that was in't; The pupil of impulse, it forc'd him along, His conduct still right, with his argument wrong; The coachman was tipsy, the chariot drove home; * Mr. T. Townshend, member for Whitchurch. † Vide page 73. |