Retaliation (Goldsmith)/To Mr. Kearsly, Bookseller, in Fleet-Street
TO
Mr. KEARSLY,
Bookseller, in Fleet-Street.
SIR,
I Am unable to account for the Mystery with which the Poem I send you has been handed about.———In some part of Doctor Goldsmith's Works, he confesses himself so unable to resist the hungry Attacks of wretched Compilers, that he contents himself with the Demand of the fat Man, who, when at Sea, and the Crew in great Want of Provisions, was pitched on by the Sailors as the properest Subject to supply their Wants: He found the Necessity of Acquiescence, at the same Time making the most reasonable Demand of the first Cut off himself for himself. If the Doctor in his Life-time was forced by these Anthropophagi to such Capitulations, what Respect can we now expect from them? will they not dine on his memory? To rescue him from this Insult, I send you an authentic Copy of the last poetic Production of this Great and Good Man; of which, I recommend an early Publication, to prevent spurious Editions being ushered into the World. ——— Dr. Goldsmith belonged to a Club of Beaux Esprits, where Wit sparkled sometimes at the Expence of Good-nature.—It was proposed to write Epitaphs on the Doctor; his Country, Dialect and Person, furnished Subjects of Witticism.—The Doctor was called on for Retaliation, and at their next Meeting produced the following Poem, which I think adds one Leaf to his immortal Wreath.