ſtating that the Miſſes Bewick, the daughters of the celebrated engraver, who illuſtrated an edition of the book for T. Saint, of Newcaſtle, underſtood from their father that it was by Oliver Goldſmith.
But let us turn to the book itſelf and ſee if it furniſhes any evidence on the point. The very title, with its quaint phraſing, ſhows no common genius, and as Waſhington Irving ſays, "bears the ſtamp of his [Goldſmith's] ſly and playful humour." As the book was publiſhed in 1765, it would moſt likely have been written juſt at the time when Goldſmith was working moſt induſtriouſly in the ſervice of Newbery (1763-4), at which period it will be remembered that he was living near Newbery at Iſlington, and his publiſher was paying for his board and lodging.
