Dr. Goldsmith and some of his friends occasionally dined at the St. James's coffee-house.-One day it was proposed to write epitaphs on him. His country, dialect, and person, furnished subjects of witticism. He was called on for RETALIATION, and at their next meeting produced the following poem. RETALIATION. Or old, when Scarron his companions invited, The master of St.James's coffee-house, where the doctor, and the friends he has characterised in this poem, occasionally dined. d Dr. Bernard, dean of Derry in Ireland. e Mr. Edmund Burke. f Mr. William Burke, late secretary to General Conway and member for Bedwin. g Mr. Richard Burke, collector of Grenada. h Mr. Richard Cumberland, author of the West Indian, Fashionable Lover, the Brothers, and other dramatic pieces. i Dr. Douglas, canon of Windsor, an ingenious Scotch gentleman, who has no less distinguished himself as a citizen of Our Garrick's ka sallad; for in him we see Oil, vinegar, sugar, and saltness agree: To make out the dinner, full certain I am, That Ridge 1 is anchovy, and Reynolds m is lamb; n That Hickey's a capon, and, by the same rule, Magnanimous Goldsmith, a gooseberry fool. At a dinner so various, at such a repast, Who'd not be a glutton, and stick to the last? At least, in six weeks I could not find 'em out; the world, than a sound critic, in detecting several literary mistakes (or rather forgeries) of his countrymen; particularly Lauder on Milton, and Bower's History of the Popes. k David Garrick, Esq. 1 Counsellor John Ridge, a gentleman belonging to the Irish bar. m Sir Joshua Reynolds. n An eminent attorney. Yet some have declar'd, and it can't be denied 'em, Here lies our good Edmund, whose genius was such, Here lies honest William, whose heart was a mint, While the owner ne'er knew half the good that was in't; The pupil of impulse, it forc'd him along, His conduct still right, with his argument wrong; • Mr. T. Townshend, Member for Whitchurch. Still aiming at honour, yet fearing to roam, The coachman was tipsy, the chariot drove home; Would ask for his merits? alas! he had none; What was good was spontaneous, his faults were his own. In short, so provoking a devil was Dick, That we wish'd him full ten times a day at Old Nick; Here Cumberland lies, having acted his parts, P Mr. Richard Burke. This gentleman having slightly frac tured one of his arms and legs, at different times, the doctor has rallied him on those accidents, as a kind of retributive justice for breaking his jests upon other people. |