New-York tribune., 1902-03-22
A NEW GOLDSMITH BOOK.
THE FIRST VERSION OF THE TRAv-
EIIER"

THE FIRST VERSION OF THE TRAY
ELLER"
There was a specially interesting auction sale
at Sothebys, in London, few days ago. One
Of the items the newly discovered Juvenile
by Charles Lamb, The King and Queen Of
Hearts," of which Mr.. F. V. Lucas, who un-
earthed it. has Just published a facsimile in
this country and in England. Another item
was "A Prospect of Society,"" a little volume.
uncut and unique. by Goldsmith. until now un-
known to his biographers and editors. The
poem It contains shows the material out of
which THE Traveller was formed and differs
greatly from that poem as know it. AS an
example OF the variations. we may quote the
line which DR.. Johnson claimed
To stop too fearful. and too faint TO go.
This appears in "A Prospect of Society" in the
following form:
And family fainter. fainter seems to go.
Without acquiescing in the statement Of
Messrs. Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge. that this
is the most remarkable Of oliver Goldsmith's
printed writings. we appreciate the opportunity
It presents TO examine the method by which the
poet worked out good poem The Trav-
eller" from "a set of unarranged and unrelated
verses" The details given in their catalogue
show that "A Prospect Of Society differs alto
gether in the order of its verses from The
Traveller"
1t begins abruptly. thus:
One sink of level avarice shall lie.
And even the worth OF kings unhOnord die
These two lines Ohe second of which was after
ward much altered) form the 359th and 36Oth
lines Of the published poem; and throughout the
two versions there is little or no correspondence
In the succession Of the lines. Everywhere. too
a comparison Of "A Prospect Of Society with
Tho Traveller" shows the poets hand al work
altering, rearranging, and usually greatly inn
proving upon his first thoughts. The alterations
OF the text are very numerous and show what
nfinity OF pains the poet took in order that
his work might be rendered perfect posi-
BILE. Perhaps the best way Of exemplfying the
relation between "A Prospect Of Society" and
The Traveller will be to quote number OF
corresponding lines from each. so as to show
how much they differ from one another The
following lines are from a Prospect OF So
ciety";
Yet think not. thus when freedoms isles I state.
l mean to flatter kings or court the great:
Think not mean to sap my COuntry's good;
I would not. heaven he witness, if | could.
But when I see contention hem the throne.
AbridgiEg kingly power to stretch her own.
When l behold faCtiOus band agree
To call II freedom when themselves are free:
Senates in blood the code of justice draw.
Laws grind the poor. and OpulcnCe the law,
The wealth Of Climes where savage nations
roam.
Pillag'd from slaves to purchase slaves at home,
l can't forbear. but all my passions start
To tear the barb that grides my swelling heart
l can't forhear: but half tyrant grown,
l wish to shrink from tyrants to the throne.
In The Traveller these lines (omitting twelve
which do not correspond to anything in A
Prosperity appear thus:
Yet think not. thus when freedoms ills state.
l mean to fatter kings. court the great;
Ye powers OF truth. that bid my soul aspire.
Far from my bosom drive the low desire;
But when Contendng chiefs blockade the throne
Contracting regal power to stretch their own,
When I behold a factiOus band agree
To call it freedom when themselves are free;
Each Wanton judge new penal statutes draw,
Laws grind the poor. and rich men rule the law +;
The wealth Of climes. where savage nations
roam,
PilIaged from slaves to purchase slaves at home;
Fear, pity. justice, Indignation, start
Tear off reserve, and bare my swelling heart
Till half a patriot, half a coward grown,
fly from petty tyrants to the throne.
1t would be easy to quote other and more strik-
ing examples OF the differences between the two
versions but for the limitations of space. 1t is
perhaps necessary to add that "a Prospect of
Society" ends with line 80. Whether any more
of it was ever printed must be a matter of con-
lecture only. 1.-The Traveller" as printed in the
Aldine edition of Goldsmith's Poems consists OF
43S lines.
Mr.. Bertram Dober who discovered the book
is about to bring out a reprint with an introduc-
ton and accompanying reprint of The
Traveller"
"The printers errors of isles and. "justc" for
Ills and Justice" in the first and ninth lines
appear in the original text