VII. The Polite Learning of England and France in-

capable of Comparison. [Now first collected.]... 415

VIII. Of Polite Learning in France...

419

IX. Of Learning in Great Britain

427

x x.

Of rewarding Genius in England

428

XI. Of the Marks of Literary Decay in France and

PREFACE to a Translation of "The Memoirs of a Pro-

testant, condemned to the Galleys of France, for his

Religion." [Now first collected.]...

463

466

PREFACE AND INTRODUCTION to the "History of the

Seven Years' War." [Now first printed.]

PREFACE to "The Martial Review; or, a General His-

tory of the Late War." [Now first collected.]

INTRODUCTION to "A General History of the World,

from the Creation to the Present Time." [Now first

collected.]

526

....... 527

PREFACE AND INTRODUCTION to "The History of Eng-

land; in a Series of Letters from a Nobleman to his

Son, in two volumes, 12mo." [Now first collected.]... 542

PREFACE to "A Collection of Poems for Young Ladies." 555

PAGE

PREFACE AND INTRODUCTION Criticisms to "The Beauties

of English Poetry, selected by Oliver Goldsmith." ...... 557

PREFACE to the Roman History
..... 566

PREFACE to the History of England, in four vols. 8vo.... 570

PREFACE to a History of the Earth, and Animated Nature,

in eight vols. 8vo.

574

LISSOY HOUSE,

THE RESIDENCE OF GOLDSMITH'S FATHER.

(See Frontispiece.)

"The house once occupied by the Rector of Kilkenny West, pleasantly situated and of good dimensions, is now a ruin, verifying the truth of the pathetic lines of his son

"Vain transitory splendours! Could not all
Reprieve the tottering mansion from its fall!

The front, including a wing, extends, as nearly as could be judged by pacing it, sixty-eight feet by a depth of twenty-four: it consisted of two stories, with five windows in each. The roof has been off for a period of twenty years; the gable ends remain, but the front and back walls of the upper story have crumbled away, and if the hand of the destroyer be not stayed, will soon wholly disappear. Two or three wretched cottages for labourers, surrounded by mud, adjoin it on the left. Behind the house is an orchard of some extent, and the remains of a garden, both utterly neglected. No picture of desolation can be more complete. As if an image of impending ruin had been present, the Poet has painted with fearful accuracy what his father's house was to be

⚫ Near yonder copse, where once the garden smiled,
And still where many a garden flower grows wild-
There, where a few torn shrubs the place disclose,
The village Preacher's modest mansion rose.'"

See LIFE, vol. i. p. 19.