The Irish standard., 1909-02-13
POOR GOLDSMITH.


POOR GOLDSMITH.
His Name Recalled by tho Old Temple
Who're He Lived.
The old Temple, off the Strand.
writes London correspondent, is be-
ing rebuilt One ancient building after
another is coming down. and with them
s. memories Of some of England's
greatest men.
The Temple buildings are owned by
o. CARNATIONS of lawyers and they are
supposed to be the homes Of young
barristers. but for hundreds of years
other young men have lived In them
Oliver Goldsmith, Farquhar, Thacks-
ray. Blackstone. Sheridan-the flower
of English genius.
Many of the old structures nave
been pulled down already, but Middle
Temple lane is almost untouched, and
the gateway, with its date Of 1884, as
d guarantee Of good faith. is still
standing. And when every other stone
Of an earlier temple has disappeared
the glorious church and the magn:h-
cent Middle Temple Hall at least will
serve as precious memorials Of great
days. ..'
Brick Court Is now In process Of re-
building. with 1t will disappear al
most the last authentic link between
Goldsmith and the Temple. for 1t was
ct No. 2 up two pairs of stairs, that
he lived In the days OF his cheauersd
prosperity, and died.
Goldsmith came to the Temple early
i'll 1884. removing thither from Wine
Once Court. q tributary Of Fleet street
still eminent In the possession Of the
Cheshire Cheese and the Press Club.
1t was a hard year with him, though
he published The Traveller for
which he received 20 guineas. and
probably an additional 30 guineas IN
it's success.
IlC IOOh3 says Nli. Jololp iOOlito
on the then library staircase of the
Temple. They were an humble set Of
chambers enough Zone Jeffs. butler Of
the society, shared them with him).
and on Johnson's prying and peering
almost in them, after his short sighted
fashion. hattening his face against
every object he looked at, Goldsmith;s
uneasy sense Of their deficiencies
broke out. IT shall soon bs. in better
May, SIR" answered johnson, never
mind that-nil te quaesiverts extra"
He soon hurried off to Islingto1,
probably to do secretly some hack
work for Newberry. In 17e5 various
/ publications, or perhaps the money for
The Vicar" enabled the author to
move to larger chambers In Garden
Court, close to the first set. and one Of
the most agreeable localities in tho
Temple.
He now carried out his threat Is
Johnson-started a man-servant, and
ran into debt with his usual gay Ind
thoughtless vanity to Mr.. Filby, the
tailor Of waterlane, for coats OF divers
colors. In 1866 1.-THE Vicar Of Wake
fold" (price flve shillings, sewed) Sc
cured his fame, but he still remained
in difficulties.
In 1858 he wrote "The Good Natured
Man" knocked off an English grammar
for guineas and was only saved from
extreme want by Davies employing
him to write History OF Rome" Tor
$50 guineas. In 1867 Parson Scott
(Lord Sandwiches chaplain,) buslly
going about to negotiate for writer's.
described himself as applying to Gold
smith, among others, to induce him to
write in favor Of the Administration.
'I found him." relates Scott, "in a
miserable set Of chambers In tho
Temple. told him my authority;
told him that was empowered to pay
r.ost literally for his exertions; and,
would you believe 1t, he was so alb
sdrd as to say. T can earn as much as
will supply my wants without writing
for any party; the assistance you offer
is therefore unnecessary to me- And
so I left him." added Rev. DR.. Scott,
Indignantly, Gin his garrett /;
On the partial success Of THE Good
Natured Man." which ran for 10 nights
al Convent Theater, Goldsmith, who
cleared $500 by its production,
out into extravaganza. He
purchased the perpetual lease on he
second floor OF No. 2, Brick Court. FOR
6 400, squandered the remaining e10o.
ran into deht to his tailor and boz :
rowed Of Mr.. Bolt on the same floor.
He purchased wilton carpets, blue
i,erino curtains, chimney. .glasses.
bookcases and card tables. and by the
aid Of the obsequious F,lby arrayed