Page:Notes by the Way.djvu/116

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46
NOTES BY THE WAY.

in Notes and Queries for July 25th, 1863, Mr. Yeowell thought that he had discovered the author to be Oliver Goldsmith, inasmuch as the couplet, slightly varying from the way we give it, occurs in 'The Art of Poetry on a New Plan,' compiled by John Newbery (the chief publisher of juvenile literature more than a century ago), and revised and enlarged by Goldsmith. But the lines have since been found in Ray's 'History of the Rebellion,' published in 1749, thirteen years before the first edition of 'The Art of Poetry ' was issued."

Death of Dr. Doran:
Memoir by Thoms.
On the 2nd of February, 1878, the front page appears in mourning— "the accomplished gentleman and warm - hearted scholar" Dr. Doran was dead. The short 'In Memoriam' written by Mr. Thoms records that he died, after a short illness, on Friday, the 25th of January, in his seventy-first year :—

"Receiving his early education in France and Germany, and gifted with a memory which never failed him, Dr. Doran was eminently fitted to discharge the responsible duties of an editor duties calling for a combination of firmness in maintaining the character of the journal under his charge with a delicate regard for the susceptibilities of contributors. Dr. Doran was, I believe, under twenty when his 'prentice hand directed The Literary Chronicle; and, for the last quarter of a century, hardly a publishing season has returned without producing some valued work from his pen. During the whole of this time he was a constant contributor to various literary journals ; and yet such was his industry, that all this labour did not compel him to withdraw from that society where he was always so heartily welcomed, and where his loss will be so deeply deplored."

Tribute from a contributor.The same number contains the following tribute from a correspondent :—

"I am sure there is not a contributor to 'N. & Q.' who will not mourn for our late Editor as for a father a father both kindly and wise; as kindly when he wisely suppressed as when he courteously accepted the communications sent him. A week has not elapsed since I wrote to thank him for the kindly reception with which I, a stranger both to him and to fame, had met from him."

The Athenæum notice.The Athenaeum, in its biographical notice, stated of him :—

"Perhaps no critic ever did his full duty to the public with so much tenderness towards writers. 'You are not mistaken, my dear fellow, as to your facts,' he once remarked in his kindliest way to a young writer,' but don't hurt people needlessly with that strong pen of yours. When you come to be as old as I am, you will be sorry to remember that you have been guilty of needless cruelty to any one.' "

French tribute.The French Notes and Queries, L'Intermediaire des Chercheurs et Curieux, in its issue of the 25th of February, made graceful reference to Dr. Doran, as is noted in the number of the 9th of March.

H. F. Turle Editor.Mr. H. F. Turle succeeded Dr. Doran as editor. He brought with him a thorough knowledge of the work in all its details, having been assistant to Mr. Thoms since the resignation of Mr. Yeowell, and afterwards to Dr. Doran, who so much valued his services that,