DUBLIN :
HODGES, SMITH & co., 104, GRAFTON STREET,

BOOKSELLERS TO THE UNIVERSITY.

1862.

CHAPTER I.

THE Education, Adventures and Mischances, of Oliver Goldsmith, from his

Childhood 'till he stood Friendless and Penniless, “ in the Lonely,

Terrible Streets of London” .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3

CHAPTER II.

PERSONAL History of Goldsmith-Struggles of an Author in London—The

Prose of Poets-Selections from Goldsmith's Prose- The Lawyers and

the Doctors-He ascends to Wine Arbour Court-Is discovered to be

a man of genius Gives a supper to Doctor Johnson–Is introduced to

the wits of the time-Is elected by “The Club”—Notices of its leading

members—Johnson, . Burke, Gibbon, Reynolds, Garrick, Boswell

“ Immortal Conclave” –Intellectual contests between Johnson and

Burke-Sir Bulwer Lytton's brilliant criticisms in verse ... ... 17

CHAPTER III.

The Vicar of Wakefield introduced by the verses of Sir Bulwer Lytton-

Rousseau and Voltaire in contrast with Johnson and Goldsmith-

Character, value and excellence of the book-Critical opinions thereon.

Macaulay's rejected—Schlegel's preferred, “The gem of European

works of fiction is the Vicar of Wakefield"--Historical abridgments.

An amusing Dialogue between Boswell and his master on the superior

merits of Goldsmith as an Historian—"The Animated Nature as

entertaining as a Persian tale” ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 41

CHAPTER IV.

GOLDSMITH as a Poet~History, uses and origin of Poetry—The Tra-

veller and minor Poems—The generosity, independence and political

integrity of our Poet established—His Plays-His fortune improved

Expenses increased — The Deserted Village – Criticisms thereon-

Respective claims of Macaulay and of Goldsmith to immortality,

Calamities of Authors—The moral-Conclusion ... ... ... ... 52

THE METROPOLITAN HALL, JANUARY THE 8Th, 1862.