* * * *

LEWIS'S "MONK."

This romance, on its first appearance, roused the attention of all the
literary world of England, and even spread its writer's name to the
continent. The author--"wonder-working Lewis," was a stripling under
twenty when he wrote _The Monk_ in the short space of ten weeks! Sir
Walter Scott, probably the most rapid composer of fiction upon record,
hardly exceeded this, even in his latter days, when his facility of
writing was the greatest.

* * * * *

THOMSON'S RECITATIONS.

Thomson, the author of the "Seasons," was a very awkward reader of his
own productions. His patron, Doddington, once snatched a MS. from
his hand, provoked by his odd utterance, telling him that he did not
understand his own verses! A gentleman of Brentford, however, told the
late Dr. Evans, in 1824, that there was a tradition in that town of
Thomson frequenting one of the inns there, and reciting his poems to the
company.

* * * * *

GOLDSMITH'S "SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER."

Goldsmith, during the first performance of this comedy, walked all the
time in St. James' Park in great uneasiness. Finally, when he thought
that it must be over, hastening to the theatre, hisses assailed his
ears as he entered the green-room. Asking in eager alarm of Colman the
cause--"Pshaw, pshaw!" said Colman, "don't be afraid of squibs, when we
have been sitting on a barrel of gunpowder for two hours." The comedy
had completely triumphed--the audience were only hissing the after
farce. Goldsmith had some difficulty in getting the piece on the stage,
as appears from the following letter to Colman:--"I entreat you'll
relieve me from that state of suspense in which I have been kept for a
long time. Whatever objections you have made, or shall make, to my play,
I will endeavour to remove, and not argue about them. To bring in any
new judges either of its merits or faults, I can never submit to. Upon a
former occasion, when my other play was before Mr. Garrick, he offered
to bring me before Mr. Whitehead's tribunal, but I refused the proposal
with indignation. I hope I shall not experience as hard treatment from
you, as from him. I have, as you know, a large sum of money to make up
shortly; by accepting my play, I can readily satisfy my creditor that
way; at any rate, I must look about to some certainty to be prepared.
For God's sake take the play, and let us make