Those who know Goldsmith best had recognized his genius so
little that when he published “The Traveler” it was difficult to
persuade them that he had written it himself. He was throughout
life the butt of inferior wits, and in the arts which secured
earthly success was completely distanced by inferior men,
because he had no power of impressing himself as others. He had
the finest wit, but it was not at command; he had genius and
eloquence, but an invincible awkwardness and timidity prevented
the display of either when their display would have won him
respect. In conversation he was like a man who has a purse of
gold, but who can not produce the single silver coin which is
wanted at the moment.--W. J. DAWSON, “The Makers of
English Prose.”
(1201)