OLIVER GOLDSMITH S LIFE AND TIMES. [BOOK n.
"have been some years struggling with a wretched being, with all
— " that contempt which indigence brings with it, with all those strong
" passions which make contempt insupportable. What then has a gaol
" that is formidable, I shall at least have the society of wretches, and
" such is to ine true society. I tell you again, and again I am now
" neither able nor willing to pay you a farthing, but I will be punctual
"to any appointment you or the taylor shall make; thus far at least
"I do not act the sharper, since unable to pay my debts one way
" I would willingly give some security another. No Sir, had I been a
" sharper, had I been possessed of less good nature and native generosity
" I might surely now have been in better circumstances. I am guilty
" I own of meannesses which poverty unavoidably brings with it, my
"reflections are filled with repentance for my imprudence but not with
"any remorse for being a villain, that may be a character you unjustly
" charge me with. Your books I can assure you are neither pawn'd
" nor sold, but in the custody of a friend from whom my necessities
" oblig'd me to borrow some money, whatever becomes of my person,
"you shall have them in a month. It is very possible both the reports
"you have heard and your own suggestions may have brought you
" false information with respect to my character, it is very possible
" that the man whom you now regard with detestation may inwardly
"burn with grateful resentment, it is very possible that upon a
" second perusal of the letter I sent you, you may see the workings of
" a mind strongly agitated with gratitude and jealousy, if such eircuni-
" stances should appear at least spare invective 'till my book with
" Mr. Dodsley shall be publish'd, and then perhaps you may see the
"bright side of a mind when my professions shall not appear the
" dictates of necessity but of choice. You seem to think Dr. Milner
" knew me not. Perhaps so ; but he was a man I shall ever honour;
" but I have friendship only with the dead! I ask pardon for taking
" up so much time. Nor shall I add to it by any other professions than
" that I am Sir your Humble Serv*.
OLIVEE GOLDSMITH.
"P.S. I shall expect impatiently the result of your resolutions."
Now, this Ealph Griffiths the bookseller, whom the
diploma of some American university as obscure as himself
made subsequently Doctor Griffiths, was one of the most
thriving men of the day. In little more than three years