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among others, to which a place is given in the library, rather from courtesy than affection.

On the contrary, if popularity arises gradually, if a production gains the favor of the public by slow degrees, by the approbation of the judicious, or of the lovers of simplicity and nature; if it pleas es by an appeal to the affections, and is correspondent with the honest and unsophisticated feelings of the heart; if by such means it becomes generally read, and generally admired, it may safely be predicted of such a work, that it will live as long as the language in which it is writ ten shall be current, and the taste which discov. ered its merits shall remain pure.

Nor can we reckon popularity, although, in the opinion of some, the word is degrading, a matter of inferior importance to a poet. As the the business of poetry is to please, the greater the number to whom a poet affords pleasure, the better he has attained the principal object of his art. And, perhaps, it will be found, that the best poets in our language have been, at the same time, the most popular; not those who have flashed for a time with all the brilliancy of fashion, and injudicious admiration, but those who worked their way, slowly and surely, into the favor of the world, and have survived many revolutions of fashion and criticism.

The first of Goldsmith's poems, which procured him the reputation of a poet, was the Traveller, published in 1765. The outlines, or first sketches of this appear to have been formed du.

ring his travels in Europe; but the characters which he has given of some of the nations of Europe, were probably the result of subsequent reflections, and reading, although originally founded on what he witnessed while performing his journeys on foot, and mixing with those classes of society, which other travellers are apt to overlook. Of this poem it has been justly said, that the sentiments are always interesting, and often new; that the imagery is elegant, picturesque, and occasionally sublime; and the language nervous, highly finished, and full of harmony. Dr. Johnson's opinion was, that 'since the death of Pope, it would not be easy to find any thing equal to the Traveller,' and the late celebrated Mr. Fox, declared it was one of the finest poems in the English language.

The same year, he published his pathetic ballad, The Hermit, which added considerably to his fame, and recommended him to the patronage of the late Dutchess of Northumberland. It is singular, that he had written and sold his nov. el, The Vicar of Wakefield, to a bookseller, sometime before these poems appeared; but the bookseller had scarcely courage to publish it, until their reputation assured him, that the author's name was now of importance. According. ly the novel, on its appearance, was universally read and admired, and is still one of the standard books, of that kind, in our language. His lesser poems are not without various degrees of merit. The Haunch of Venison, and Retaliation, are

have considThis opinion, not coincided If mere popu

admirable specimens of that delicate humor in which Goldsmith excelled as much when he took up his pen, as he fell short of it when in conversation. In the opinion of some critics, Dr. Goldsmith's reputation as a poet wanted not the aid of The Deserted Village, which they ered as inferior to his Traveller. however, it we mistake not, has with that of the public at large. ularity be to decide, The Deserted Village has certainly been oftener printed, and will be found oftener in the hands of Goldsmith's admirers. Perhaps, however, no critic of modern times has discriminated their respective merits with more nicety than Dr. Aikin. 'If,' says this judicious critic, we compare these two principal poems of Goldsmith, we may say, that the Traveller is formed upon a more regular plan, has a higher purpose in view, more abounds in thoughts, and in the expression of moral and philosophical ideas. The Deserted Village has more imagery, more variety, more pathos, more of the peculiar character of poetry. In the first, the moral and natural descriptions are more general and elevated in the second, they are more particular and interesting. Both are truly original productions; but the Deserted Village has less peculiarity, and, indeed, has given rise to imitations, which may stand in some parallel with it, while the Traveller remains an unique.

MONODY

ON THE

DEATH OF dr. goldSMITH.

BY W. WOTY.

ADIEU, sweet bard! to each fine feeling true,
Thy virtues many, and thy foibles few ;

Those form'd to charm e'en vicious miuds-and these,

With harmless mirth the social soul to please.
Another's wo thy heart could always melt;
None gave more free-for none more deeply felt.
Sweet bard, adieu! thy own harmonious lays
Have sculptur'd out thy monument of praise;
Yes, these survive to time's remotest day;
While drops the bust, and mouruful tombs decay.
Reader, if number'd in the muse's train,
Go, tune the lyre, and imitate his strain
But, if no poet thou, reverse the plan,
Depart in peace, and imitate the man.

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