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OLIVER GOLDSMITH S LIFE AND TIMES. [BOOK n.
1757. " as I was without friends, recommendations, money., or
2Et.29. "impudence; and that in a country wfeere being born " an Irishman was sufficient to keep me unemployed. Many " in such circumstances would have had recourse to the friar's fi cord, or the suicide's halter. But, with all my follies, I had "principle to resist the one, and resolution to combat the " other. I suppose you desire to know my present situation. " As there is nothing in it at which I should blush, or which " mankind could censure, I see no reason for making it a " secret; in short, by a very little practice as a physician, " and a very little reputation as a poet, I make a shift to live. " Nothing is more apt to introduce us to the gates of the " Muses than poverty ; but it were well if they only left us " at the door. The mischief is, they sometimes choose to " give us their company at the entertainment; and want, "instead of being gentleman-usher, often turns master of "the ceremonies. Thus, upon hearing I write, no doubt " you imagine I starve; and the name of an author "naturally reminds you of a garret. In this parti- " cular I clo not think proper to undeceive my friends. " But whether I eat or starve, live in a first floor or "four pair of stairs high, I still remember them with u ardour, nay my very country comes in for a share of my "affection."
This glance at the gloomy aspect of his present fortunes
would be less pathetic to me if it had been less playful. His Irish friends had shown the charitable wish, however unavailing; and lie would not trouble friendly eyes with needless exhibition of his sufferings, or make grim want the master of other than somewhat cheerful ceremonies. Lightly and quickly he passes from the subject, to that unaccountable fondness for Ireland already mentioned in |
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