So many languages he had in ftore,
That only Fame fhall speak of him in more.

The fimile, by which an old man, retaining the fire of his youth, is compared to Ætna flaming through the fnow, which Smith has ufed with great pomp, is ftolen from Cowley, however little worth the labour of conveyance.

He proceeded to take his degree of Master of Arts July 8, 1696. Of the exercifes which he performed on that occafion, I have not heard any thing memorable.

As his years advanced, he advanced in reputation: for he continued to cultivate his mind, though he did not amend his irregularities, by which he gave so much offence, that, April 24, 1700, the Dean and Chapter declared "the place of Mr. Smith "void, he having been convicted of riotous "misbehaviour in the houfe of Mr. Cole an "apothecary; but it was referred to the "Dean when and upon what occafion the "fentence should be put in execution."

Thus

Thus tenderly was he treated: the governors of his college could hardly keep him, and yet wished that he would not force them to drive him away.

Some time afterwards he affumed an appearance of decency; in his own phrafe, he whitened himself, having a defire to obtain the censorship, an office of honour and some profit in the college; but when the election came, the preference was given to Mr. Foulkes, his junior; the fame, I suppose, that joined with Freind in an edition of part of Demofthenes; the cenfor is a tutor, and it was not thought proper to truft the fuperintendance of others to a man who took fo little care of himself.

From this time Smith employed his malice and his wit against the Dean, Dr. Aldrich, whom he confidered as the opponent of his claim. Of his lampoon upon him, I once heard a fingle line too grofs to be repeated.

But he was still a genius and a scholar, and Oxford was unwilling to lofe him: he was endured, with all his pranks and his vices, VOL. II. R

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two years longer; but on Dec. 20, 1705, at the inftance of all the canons, the fentence declared five years before was put in execution.

The execution was, I believe, filent and tender; for one of his friends, from whom I learned much of his life, appeared not to know it.

He was now driven to London, where he affociated himself with the Whigs, whether because they were in power, or because the Tories had expelled him, or because he was a Whig by principle, may perhaps be doubted. He was however careffed by men of great abilities, whatever were their party, and was fupported by the liberality of those who delighted in his conversation.

There was once a defign hinted at by Oldifworth, to have made him useful. One evening, as he was fitting with a friend at a tavern, he was called down by the waiter; and, having ftaid fome time below, came up thoughtful. After a paufe, faid he to his friend, "He that wanted me below was Ad"dison, whose business was to tell me that a Hif

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a History of the Revolution was intended, "and to propofe that I fhould undertake it. "I faid, what fhall I do with the character of "lord Sunderland? and Addison immedi

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ately returned, When, Rag, were you “ drunk laft? and went away."

Captain Rag was a name which he got at Oxford by his negligence of drefs.

This ftory I heard from the late Mr. Clark of Lincoln's Inn, to whom it was told by the friend of Smith.

Such fcruples might debar him from some profitable employments; but as they could not deprive him of any real esteem, they left him many friends; and no man was ever better introduced to the theatre than he, who, in that violent conflict of parties, had a Prologue and Epilogue from the first wits on either fide.

But learning and nature will now and then take different courfes. His play pleased the criticks, and the criticks only. It was, as Addison has recorded, hardly heard the third night. Smith had indeed trufted entirely to

his merit; had enfured no band of applauders, nor used any artifice to force fuccefs, and found that naked excellence was not fufficient for its own fupport.

The play, however, was bought by Lintot, who advanced the price from fifty guineas, the current rate, to fixty; and Halifax, the general patron, accepted the dedication. Smith's indolence kept him from writing the dedication, till Lintot, after fruitlefs importunity, gave notice that he would publish the play without it. Now therefore it was written; and Halifax expected the author with his book, and had prepared to reward him with a place of three hundred pounds a year. Smith, by pride, or caprice, or indolence, or bashfulnefs, neglected to attend him, though doubtlefs warned and pressed by his friends, and at laft miffed his reward by not going to folicit it.

Addison has, in the Spectator, mentioned the neglect of Smith's tragedy as difgraceful to the nation, and imputes it to the fondness for operas then prevailing. The authority of Addifon is great; yet the voice of the people, when to please the people is the purpofe, deferves regard. In this question, I

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cannot