would the exalted affection of good their kind. Thank heaven, to eradicate the affections from the human soul is beyond the power

vate, to extend, to refine, to direct, to animate them, is the part of religious philosophy, and here religion and sound philosophy go hand in hand. True it is, that ill directed affections inay check the growth of benevolence;-let it be our care to make them such as she may approve; but where we apprehend that her claims and theirs are at variance, let us not fail to calculate the general consequence of violating theirs, before we yield to the sacrifice which she may enjoin. It is seldom that these claims are more than apparently at variance ;-let us aim to make our limited affections agreeable to general benevolence,thus enlightening them, and puri. fying them from self, and to invigorate our general benevolence, by giving full scope to enlightened affection,-and their general die rection will be almost uniformly coincident; so that we may safely trust ourselves to the guidance of either,

will to all, leading to active exertions for the good of all, ever arise in the soul where the more con- of proud philosophism; to culti 'fined but alike important affections had never been matured? The young enthusiast who has not learnt to distinguish between the glow of transient feeling, and the steady calm affection, leading to persevering efforts in spite of obstacles and discouragements, may deem it honourable to his kind to maintain the affirmative; and the theoretical philosopher may build systems, splendid, nay even lovely to view, on that opinion; but he who listens to the experience of ages, and has examined the laws by which the great former of the and of man has bound its operations, will unhesitatingly pronounce, that if the rock on which the edifice rests must be hewn away to complete it, the first rude storm will prove the structure baseless as the "fabric of a vision." In individual minds, benevolence may have some support besides the firm base of the confined charities; but in the species it rests on them alone, and with them it must stand or fall. Is it In all doubtful cases, we should possible that those who wish us to consult what most tends to the form our calculations on the prin- cultivation of our own benevolent ciples of general benevolence only, affections; and though their unand to neglect the nearer claims enlightened promptings will often of father, husband, brother, friend, have a tendency contrary to that or sou, ever took into account the wished for, we should always hesisum of evil which would over- tate in acting in decided opposiwhelm us if all were to neglect tion to them. Still however we them; and the importance, the should bear in mind, that a differnecessity, of their existence con- ent and equally energetic direction stituted as we are, to the existence of the very principle, which they anthinkingly place in opposition to it? We will hope not; for we should otherwise deem them not, the heart aright and then let it be as now, mistaken friends, but, the monitor." traitors to the best interests of

may be given to their dietates. Let this be such as wisdom points out, and we may unhesitatingly follow where they lead

"Mould

One important principle must

the benevolent affections, best futfils their object: regular persever ing attention to their promptings, in the daily, hourly intercourse of

not be forgotten. Present means of doing a certain good, must not be omitted for the sake of uncertain power of usefulness in future. "In these short lives of ours, we social life, as well as in those must do all the good we can ;" if more important cases in which we can do the future good as well self must be sacrificed, if so we as the present, it is well; but in can restrain the progress of actual general it were folly to neglect misery or present one effectual the latter for the former. Cases barrier against its inroads, may occur in which great efforts While we do good to others, we of abstinence from benevolent do good to ourselves. We thus exertion are requisite; such cases cultivate our benevolence, and have occurred, and to us they with it we cultivate our happimay occur; but we ought if such ness; and that benevolence will abstinence should appear to be be found to rest on the surest baour duty, to take great care so sis, to be the most exalted and to strengthen our disinterestedness, durable, which leads to exertions that when the means present them- in perfect agreement with the selves we may not have lost the most extensive interests of man. wish to employ them. It is well for us that what best cultivates

Liverpool, 1804.

L. C.

TWO ORIGINAL ANECDOTES OF DR. GOLDSMITH COMMUNICATED BY THE REV. JOHN EVANS.

SIR,

To the Editor of the Monthly Repository.

Pullin's Row, Islington,
April 4, 1808.

William generally enjoyed the joke without any diminution of his own self-satisfaction.

GOLDSMITH, while with Dr. William used to think that in Milner, at Peckham, was remark- his way he was not to be out-done, ably cheerful both in the family and Goldsmith thought one day and with the young gentlemen of that he would make trial of him. the school. Two instances of it Accordingly having procured at have been communicated to me piece of uncoloured Cheshire cheese, lately by an intelligent lady, the he rolled it up in the form of a only surviving daughter of Dr. candle, about an inch in length, MILNER, now residing at Isling- and twisting a bit of white paper ton; and they are not unworthy of to the size of a wick he thrust it preservation. There was a servant into one of the ends, hav in the family who waited at table, ing blackened the extremity that cleaned shoes, &c. whose name it might have more the appearance was William, a weak but good- of reality. He then put it in a tempered young man. Goldsmith candlestick over the fire place in would now and then make himself the Kitchen, taking care that merry at his expense, and poor another bit of real candle, of equal

company.

size, should be placed by the side a young woman who lived in the of it in another candlestick. The neighbourhood as servant, and they apparatus being thus prepared, in for some time kept each other's came William from his daily The young woman task; when GOLDSMITH imme soon after left her situation and diately taking down the bit of went back into Yorkshire her na candle of his own manufacture, tive county. But she promised to challenged William in the follow write to William, though for some ing terms,-"William, if you will reason or another that promise eat yonder piece of candle (point- was never fulfilled. This circum, ing to what remained on the shelf) stance gave him no little uneasi→ I will eat this in my hand, but it ness, and having so often inquired must be done together, and I will of the postman to no purpose, he begin!" The challenge was ac- had nearly sunk into despair. cepted in the presence of the other Goldsmith availing himself of poor servants in the kitchen, and Gold- William's condition, took upon him smith immediately began gnaw to imitate a bad hand and to ining his candle, making sad wry dite a letter, which for sentiment faces but not flinching from his and expression might be taken for task! William beheld with asto- a real epistle from Yorkshire. nishment the progress he was mak- This being done with exactness ing in devouring it however nause- (for the lady who told me the ous, but had no heart or stomach anecdote saw it before it was sent) to touch his own. At last when GOLDSMITH gave it one of the William saw that Goldsmith had young gentlemen with the request devoured all but the last morsel, that he would deliver it next he, not willing to be out-done, morning immediately after the opened his mouth and flung his postman had called at the house. own piece down his throat in a The young gentlemen were in the moment! This sudden triumph habit of running towards the door over his antagonist made the whenever the postman made his kitchen ring with laughter. Some appearance; of course one of the little time after poor William group returned from the door with could not help expressing his sur- the said letter, and gave it directprise to Goldsmith that he had ly to William, who snatching it not done as he did, swallowing with eagerness thrust it into his so disagreeable a morsel all at bosom, and withdrew to make Truly" replied Gold- himself acquainted with the con smith, with great gravity, my bit tents. The substance of the epis of candle was no other than a bit tle was that " she had for various of very nice Cheshire cheese, and reasons delayed writing, but had therefore William I was unwilling to lose the relish of it!"

once-"

66

to inform him that a young man, by trade a glass-grinder, had paid his addresses to her-that she had not given him much encourage. ment, though her relations were for the match--that she however often thought of William, and he William had fallen in love with was not long out of her mind for

Another time GOLDSMITH wishing to have a little innocent merriment with William, hit on the following scheme which he accomplished.

she did not forget the pleasant mo. William was thunderstruck, bements they had passed together on came very angry and exclaimed, former occasions-she concluded "You use me very ill Mr. Goldby saying that something must be smith, you have opened my letnow done one way or another, ter." Upon this Goldsmith m &c." This gratified William, mediately unravelled the difficulty though not without a mixture of by telling him that he himself had the painful passion of jealousy, the preceding evening written the which however was not so great letter, and thus made poor Willi. as to destroy the pleasure arising am believe that it was his wisest from this fresh token of her attach- way never to expect any epistle ment to him. When in the even from his Dulcinea, who had eviing he came into the kitchen with dently forsaken him, and ought features expressive of an accession not therefore to be suffered for the to his happiness, GOLDSMITH time to come to disturb his repose! accosted him in these words, "So, These, Sir, are the two anecdotes William, you have had a letter of the humour and cheerfulness from Yorkshire-what does she of GOLDSMITH, which I lately say to you,come tell me all about received from Miss Milner, when it." "Yes," returned William drinking tea with her, and which nodding his head, "I have had a I wrote down immediately on my letter from Yorkshire, but I shan't return home. However trivial tell you Mr. Goldsmith any thing they may be, there are some about it; no no, that will never young persons to whom they may do." "Well then," said Goldsmith prove acceptable. They are naafter having put a few more ques- turally inquisitive respecting every tions which were all negatived, particular in the history of a man, "suppose William I tell you what to whom they are so much indebtthe contents of the letter are," when looking upon a newspaper which he had in his hand, he adds, come I will read you your letter just as I find it here;" when he read aloud the several words of which the letter was composed, with a steady countenance and without the least faltering or hesitation!

ed; for the perusal of his "Gre-
cian and Roman Histories," of his
" Animated Nature," of his
"Chinese Letters," of his exqui
site "Poems," must have contri-
buted in no small degree to their
intellectual improvement.

I am Sir, Your's,
J. EVANS,

REVIEW.

STILL PLEAS'D TO PRAISE, YET NOT AFRAID TO BĻAME.”

POPE.

ART. I. Sermons by Edward Evanson, A. M. To which is prefixed, a Memoir of his Life, Religious Opinions and Writings. 2 vols. 8vo. 11. 1s. Ipswich. Johnson, London.

Of the author of these sermons thirty one discourses. We transan interesting account will be cribe the titles.

prophecy (Nos. v. and vi.)-On persecution-On Christmas day-The day of Christ, its scriptural meaning-The Lord's prayer (Nos. x. xi. xii.-Parable God, the only rule of obedience-Temof the sower explained-The word of perance-Virtue rewarded by present and future happiness-The meaning of the word salvation-The Lord's supper

confusion of tongues-On miracles-On

found in the first volume of our "The creation-The deluge-The Repository. In the memoir by which they are introduced, we have, besides a narrative of his life, an excellent review of his writings and religious opinions, as well as some letters that reflect considerable honour on his heart and understanding. If the feelings of our readers are in unison with ours, it will be impossible to take up, the compositions of a man who made so costly a sacrifice to conscience, without strong prepossessions in their favour.

"It is more than thirty years," says the Editor, who, we are informed, is a respectable clergyman in Suffolk, since the Sermons now submitted to the public judgment were composed It may be necessary to observe that in some of them, reference is made to Scriptures which Mr. E. since had reason to think unauthenticated and spurious; and if a sentiment be found not strictly to accord with his later writings, it must be accounted for from the change which his opinions had undergone since that period." (Mem. p. xlix.)

The volumes before us contain

The scriptural meaning of the word 'spirit' explained--AChristian spirit--The future conversion of all nations to Chris-> tianity-The heart and the affections should be engaged in the service of religion-Life and immortality revealed in the gospel-On repentance-Christian charity, its meaning-Christianity plain and intelligible-Moral improvement is required in proportion to the degree of knowledge imparted-The man after God's own heart +-The faith of Abraham-The seal of the foundation of God

On the resurrection -preached at Tewkesbury church, on Easter-day 1771, for which a prosecution was commenced against the preacher."

As many of the doctrines inculcated in these sermons are diametrically opposite to the articles of the church of England, we cannot be surprised either at the ecclesi-

*Vol. I. p. 1. and 57.

This discourse was printed, together with the two following, in 1773. This sermon seems to have been printed after the commencement of the pres secution.