CHAPTER IV.

—4.—

PREPARING FOE A MEDICAL DEGREE.

1752—1755.

1752. THE years of idleness must nevertheless come to a close.
Jlt.24. To do nothing, no matter how melodiously accompanied "by
flute and harpsichord, is not what a man is born Ixrto this
world to do; and it required but a casual word froim. a not
very genial visitor to close for ever Goldsmith's happy nights
at uncle Contarine's. There was a sort of cold grandee of
the family, Dean Goldsmith of Cloyne, who did no*t think
it unbecoming his dignity to visit the good clergyman's
parsonage now and then; and Oliver having made a arcznark
which showed him no fool, the dean gave it as his opinion
to Mr. Contarine that his young relative would maJke an
excellent medical man. The hint seemed a good one, and
was the dean's contribution to his young relative's foirtune.
The small purse was contributed by Mr. ContarirLO ; and
in tlie autumn of 175&, Oliver Goldsmith started, for
Edinburgh, medical student.

Anecdotes of amusing simplicity and forgetfulness ixi this
new character are, as usual, more rife than notices of his
course of study. But such records as have been preserved
of the period rest upon authority too obviously doixlbttfal tonot