"THE CITIZEN OF THE WORLD"
Goldsmith's first victory was the _Inquiry into the State of Polite
Learning_.
The _Inquiry_ was written at a time when its author had suffered from
the tyranny and the mercilessness of booksellers. This explains his
onslaught upon this then ungenerous craft. Injury had been heaped on
insult. Disappointment and despair were tearing and gnawing at the
poor man's heart. The demon imp of petty poverty first starved him and
then laughed at his insufficing fare, reduced him to rags and
ridiculed his wretchedness.
The _Inquiry_ was published by Dodsley. Upon this work the poor author
placed all his hopes, and was not disappointed. He had sailed his
little boat to the sea at last. The hardships, however, that he had
passed through held to the end their sway upon his heart.
The _Inquiry_ was for its author the first triumphant advance. Its
consequences had their obverse aspect. The criticism of actor-managers
drew forth Garrick's indignation. The results of this were to be
realised later in Goldsmith's career. The judicial severities
levelled against the tribe of publishers gathered black clouds.
Griffiths took the onslaught on his craft as personal, and thundered
out a libellous retort, that, wanting much, was lacking nothing in
spite, which failing in taste found its fruition in malice. Griffiths
was one of those mean men who can never forgive, and whose deeds in
sober truth do test the force of our own capacity to pardon and
forget. Even when Goldsmith was dead, Griffiths still tried to cast
vituperations on the poor man's memory.
At this time Noll engaged to furnish two brightly written articles
each week for the _Public Ledger_, of which paper Newbery was the
proprietor. These serial articles appeared under the title of _The
Citizen of the World_. A large concourse of readers looked forward to
the welcome advents of the cheerful and clever Citizen. The character
became a household word. This was Goldsmith's first really great
popular hit. Apart, however, from the appreciation of the general
public, it must be considered that, more than anything hitherto, these
articles brought their author to the knowledge and gained the
admiration of the men of letters of his day. The _Citizen_ figures in
a popular and lively light, yet still with a charming and a moving
manner. Here we see the writer in his fairest freedom and delight,
ruling a little philosophic realm and social world all his own. Up to
that time nothing quite like it had been done before. There is, as the
name implies, a world of difference between Addison, the Spectator;
Steele, the Tatler; Johnson, the Rambler; and Goldsmith, the Citizen.
[Illustration:
_Rischgitz Collection._]
DR. JOHNSON, BOSWELL AND GOLDSMITH, AT THE MITRE TAVERN.
(From the painting by Eyre Crowe.)]
_The Citizen of the World_ is a capital collection of essays,
possessed of an imperishable interest and significance, and a charm as
faultless and unfailing as that compassion and consuming charity which
never pass from the page, and never deserted the heart of their gentle
author. Still, this spirit touches and moves the heart. He saw the
wrongs and the goodness, the truth and the untruth, and he knew the
minds of men. This cosmopolitan saw Russia, the enemy of the peace of
Europe, and foresaw its vast advancing, aggressive power. He warned
the English how insecure was their then faulty hold upon the American
colonies. In these essays we find vigorous and thrilling protests
against cruelty to animals. These appeals then were rare indeed, and
even now are only revealed in any earnestness through a slowly dawning
purer spirit. The greatest men of that age, and the best, loved
Goldsmith like a brother. Very soon we see Dr. Johnson marching down
Fleet Street arm-in-arm with Percy to take supper with Dr. Goldsmith.
The lexicographer has on a new suit of clothes and a wig finely
powdered, and looks uncommon through this unexpected scrupulosity of
costume. Percy is impertinent enough to inquire the cause of this
finery.
"Why, sir," said Johnson, "I hear that Goldsmith, who is a very great
sloven, justifies his disregard of cleanliness and decency by quoting
my practice, and I am desirous this night to show him a better
example."
This amusing incident marks the foundation of a great friendship. If
ever Goldsmith had a friend, that friend was Johnson; if Johnson ever
had a friend, that friend was Goldsmith. The story does not proclaim
dear Noll a dandy this time. Doubtless his care or carelessness in
garment kept pace, step by step, with varying moods. There is evidence
enough to tell us how much he doted on finery and fashionable raiment
in those bills from his tailor, which to the very last remained
unpaid. Filby could afford the loss. It will be gathered from all this
that with a change in fortune there had also been a departure from
those scanty quarters in Green Arbour Court. His new apartments in
Wine Office Court, Fleet Street, were not elaborately furnished, nor
dignified in themselves or their situation, but they were the sign of
better days. For all Fame brings its rich rewards. For Goldsmith the
greatest of these was Johnson's friendship and esteem. The bond that
bound these two was this, that they were always the last to abandon
the poor and the worthless. Tired out with failure or importunity,
other men of kindly heart might leave the incorrigible to their fate,
but not Samuel Johnson nor Oliver Goldsmith. A better basis for
friendship could not be.
No sooner was Goldsmith known, than a bright devoted band of loving
spirits clustered round, loving the life of the man and feeling the
help and the hope that it gave. Simplicity sways its sceptre. Purity
of heart is a Divine power. Not through his position and achievements,
but for himself, men and women loved and honoured him. Burke and
Reynolds became his devoted friends and constant allies. Fairest of
all the bonds was that dreamy sympathy with the sweet little Jessamy
Bride. He loved the poor. In this affection it might be said that his
very life was dedicated to all who bore the burden of sad necessity,
and needed help or solace in their suffering. For the most part his
intimacies were with men, but noble women whose names have passed away
must have honoured him and found that hour a happy one that brought
the comforting and kindly and enkindling soul within the circle of the
home. He loved children and understood them. He longed to have them
for his readers. In a picturesque succession the old lady who taught
Charles Lamb his letters was patted on her curly head by Goldsmith
when she was a little child.