OLIVER GOLDSMITH'S LIFE AND TIMES.

1758 submit to daylight scrutiny, he would keep within his dirty,
jsllo. naked, unfurnished room, with its single wooden chair and
window bench. And that was Goldsmith's home.

On a certain night in the beginning of November 1758,

his ascent of Break-neck Steps must have had unwonted

gloom. He had learnt the failure of his new hope: the

Coromandel appointment was his no longer. In what way

this mischance so unexpectedly occurred, it would now be

hopeless to enquire. No explanation could be had from

the dying Doctor Milner; none was given by himself; he

always afterwards withheld allusion to it, with even studious

care. It is quite possible, though no authority exists for

the assertion, that doubts may have arisen of his competence

to discharge the duties of the appointment; what followed

a few months later, indeed, will be seen to give warrant for

such a surmise; but even supposing this to have Been the

real motive, there is no ground for suspecting that such a

motive was alleged. The most likely supposition would'

probably be, that failure in getting together means for his

outfit with sufficient promptitude, was made convenient

excuse for transferring the favour to another. That it was

any failure of his own courage at the prospect of so long an

exile, or that he never proposed more by his original scheme

than a foreign flight for two or three years, has no other

or better foundation than the Hodson letter: on which

authority it would also follow, that he remained contented

with what he already possessed, subdued his capricious

wants, and turned to the friends, the esteem, the refined

conversation, and all the conveniences of life, which awaited

him. in Green Arbour Court, with a new and virtuous resolve

of quiet thankfulness.

Alas! far different were the feelings with which he nowteps in. the middle of winter."