In December, 1769, the recent appointment of his friend Reynolds as
President of the Royal Academy brought him the honorary office of
Professor of History to that institution; and to Reynolds 'The Deserted
Village' was dedicated. It appeared on the 26th of May, 1770, with a
success equal, if not superior, to that of 'The Traveller'. It ran
through five editions in the year of its publication; and has ever since
retained its reputation. If, as alleged, contemporary critics ranked it
below its predecessor, the reason advanced by Washington Irving, that
the poet had become his own rival, is doubtless correct; and there is
always a prejudice in favour of the first success. This, however, is not
an obstacle which need disturb the reader now; and he will probably
decide that in grace and tenderness of description 'The Deserted
Village' in no wise falls short of 'The Traveller'; and that its central
idea, and its sympathy with humanity, give it a higher value as a work
of art.
After 'The Deserted Village' had appeared, Goldsmith made a short trip
to Paris, in company with Mrs.
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