PAGE

PREFACE AND INTRODUCTION Criticisms to "The Beauties

of English Poetry, selected by Oliver Goldsmith." ...... 557

PREFACE to the Roman History

566

PREFACE to the History of England, in four vols. 8vo.... 570

PREFACE to a History of the Earth, and Animated Nature,

in eight vols. 8vo.

........ 574

LISSOY HOUSE,

THE RESIDENCE OF GOLDSMITH'S FATHER.

(See Frontispiece.)

"The house once occupied by the Rector of Kilkenny West, pleasantly situated and of good dimensions, is now a ruin, verifying the truth of the pathetic lines of his son

"Vain transitory splendours! Could not all
Reprieve the tottering mansion from its fall!

The front, including a wing, extends, as nearly as could be judged by pacing it, sixty-eight feet by a depth of twenty-four: it consisted of two stories, with five windows in each. The roof has been off for a period of twenty years; the gable ends remain, but the front and back walls of the upper story have crumbled away, and if the hand of the destroyer be not stayed, will soon wholly disappear. Two or three wretched cottages for labourers, surrounded by mud, adjoin it on the left. Behind the house is an orchard of some extent, and the remains of a garden, both utterly neglected. No picture of desolation can be more complete. As if an image of impending ruin had been present, the Poet has painted with fearful accuracy what his father's house was to be

• Near yonder copse, where once the garden smiled,
And still where many a garden flower grows wild-
There, where a few torn shrubs the place disclose,
The village Preacher's modest mansion rose.'"

See LIFE, vol. i. p. 19.

[The BEE, a weekly paper, commenced October the 6th, and
terminated with the eighth number, November the 24th, 1759;
from the want, as it appears, of public support. Yet the
majority of them deserved another reception; and, though
neglected at their first appearance, when known some time after
to be from the same pen with the Traveller' and the Vicar
of Wakefield,' they were very generally read and admired.
The following is the Prospectus which first announced the
Bee:

Saturday next, October the 6th, will be published (to be continued
weekly, price three-pence), neatly printed in crown octavo and on good
paper, containing two sheets, or thirty-two pages, stitched in blue covers,
Number I. of a new periodical paper entitled-

"THE BEE. Consisting of a variety of Essays on the Amusements,
Follies, and Vices in fashion : particularly the most recent Topics of Conver-
sation: Remarks on Theatrical Exhibitions: Memoirs of Modern Literature,
&c. &c. Printed for J. Wilkie, at the Bible in St. Paul's Church Yard.
**The Publisher begs leave to inform the public, that every twelve
numbers will make a handsome pocket volume, at the end of which shall
be given an emblematical frontispiece, title, and table of contents. Letters
to the author of the Bee, directed to J. Wilkie as above (post-paid), will be
duly regarded." London Chronicle, Sept. 29.- Oct. 2d, 1759.

After the first week another paragraph appeared:

"This day is published, &c. &c. Number II. of a new periodical paper
called The Bee. The public is requested to compare this with other perio-
dical performances which more pompously solicit their attention. If upon
perusal it be found deficient either in humour, elegance, or variety, the
author will readily acquiesce in their censure. It is possible the reader may
sometimes draw a prize, and even should it turn up a blank, it costs him
but three-pence." Public Advertiser, Oct. 14, 1759.

The Numbers were collected into a volume and published by
Dodsley and Wilkie in the December of the same year, under
the title of "The Bee; being Essays on the most Interesting
Subjects."]