the subject was the knowledge that I could illustrate it not alone by addition of facts and letters that would be new, but by a new handling of those that were old. It seemed no unworthy task to rescue one of the most fascinating writers in the language from one of its least lively books, from a posthumous admiration more harassing than any spite that vexed poor Goldsmith while he lived, from an indiscriminate and incessant exaltation which he would probably have found harder to bear than Hawkins's absurd contempt or the amusing slights of Boswell. But the new matter I found myself also able to contribute, both of narrative and letters, proved to be very considerable; and the plan adopted in the present edition will enable the reader to judge of its importance, and to measure its comparative value by that of the previous discoveries of others. Not only are very numerous corrections to every former publication relating to Goldsmith here made, and a great many new facts brought forward, but each fact, whether new or old, is given from its first authority, and no quotation has been made at second-hand. An unerring test is thus applied to Mr. Prior's extravagant claim of originality in research; and, to even a small fraction of the matter alleged to have been first set forth by him, his title as its discoverer is found to be as little established as his right to its exclusive ownership. The real truth is, that except as to bibliography, where the books themselves furnished easy hints for the supply of every defect, the most important particulars of Goldsmith's life had been made public, long before either of us, by Cooke, Glover, Percy, Davies, Hawkins, and Boswell. It only remains to say, as to the title of my book, that while the Times as well as the Life are meant to be comprised, the persons introduced appear always, as far as possible, in the character and proportions which they bore to the society of their day during the life, and not beyond it; that Burke is not yet the impeacher of Hastings, nor Boswell the biographer of Johnson; and that in thus bringing within the circle of view not a little of the social as well as literary characteristics of the arts, the theatres, and the politics, of this fragment of the eighteenth century, still the object strictly has been to show in more vivid lights from each the central figure of GOLDSMITH himself, not exaggerated, not unduly exalted, but with all that there was in him to admire and love, and all there was around him to suggest excuse or pity. PALACE GATE HOUSE, KENSINGTON, April, 1871. NOTICE OF THE PUBLISHER. Having had the privilege to see a letter which the late Mr. Charles Dickens wrote to the author of this work upon its first appearance, and which there was no intention to publish in England, it became my lively wish to make it known to the readers of my edition. I therefore addressed an earnest request to Mr. Forster that he would permit the letter to be prefixed to a reprint not designed for circulation in England; where I could understand his reluctance to sanction its publication. Its varied illustration of the subject of the book, and its striking passages of personal feeling and character, led me also to request that I might be allowed to present it in facsimile. Mr. Forster complied; and I am most happy to be thus enabled to give to my public on the following pages, so attractive and so interesting a letter, reproduced in the exact form in which it was written, by the most popular and admired of writers-too early gone. Kleinzschocher near Leipzig, TAUCHNITZ. I finished Excommitt Yestudy. after dinner; having reach it from the frist pass whe last with the peatest cash and attention. As a picture of the tinks, I reach Kills it imposible Wireit · paish. It scams tie alla the Аже essence of all about the trick that фаль I have eve ocen in tropaply or fiction, presulted in most wish and humanh lights, auch in a Konsund new and first aspects. I have never like ch Islason half so with. Nobody's contempt for Borneth ought th |