• "Dear Sir,

"Smith-Hill, Dec. 24, 1807.

"The reverend Oliver Jones was

curate of Elphin, and also had the • diocesan school of that town: he lived

where I now live, a little more than half a mile from the church. He had four daughters, and no son. My 'grandfather, George Hicks, was married to one of these daughters, and

consequently knew every circumstance ' relating to that family; and has often

told me that the reverend Mr. Goldsmith, who was married to another of Mr. Jones's daughters, had a curacy

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'somewhere near Athlone, and that

Mrs. Goldsmith spent much of her time with her mother, Mrs. Jones, then a widow, and living at SmithHill; that Oliver Goldsmith was born

here, in his grandfather's house; that

he was nursed and reared here, and

got the early part of his education at the school of Elphin.

"My mother, the only child of the

' above George Hicks and Miss Jones,

was contemporary with Oliver Gold

smith, and brought up in her grandfather's house. She also has often told

me the foregoing circumstances; and

has shown me the very spot where the bed stood in which Goldsmith was 'born. From what I have always heard ⚫ and understood, I never had a doubt ' on my mind that Goldsmith was born' ' here.

"I am, &c. &c.

"ROBERT JONES LLOYD."

Goldsmith had three brothers;

Charles, who went to America in early

life; Maurice,, who was a cabinet

'maker, and lived and died in Dublin,

about six or seven years ago; and the

⚫ above-named Henry.

'He had two sisters, Catherine and

་

Jane, whom I knew intimately they

lived and died in Athlone, about ten years since.

Of his relations, there remain

Henry, his nephew, who lives in in America, son of

• Rhode-Island

his brother Henry; Catherine, his niece, sister of Henry, who lives in • Dublin and teaches music; and 'Oliver Goldsmith Hodson, his grand

nephew, who inherits and lives on an estate of about 7001. a year, eight "miles from this town.

Several of the family and name live

near Elphin, who, as well as the poet,

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were and are remarkable for their

worth; but of no cleverness in the

< common affairs of the world. From

<

.

these, indeed, he differed in brightness of genius in the latter part of his life; yet he was considered by his contemporaries and school-fellows, with whom I have often conversed on the subject,

as a stupid, heavy blockhead, little better than a fool, whom every one

< made fun of. But his corporal pow

'ers differed widely from this apparent

state of his mind, for he was remarka

bly active and athletic; of which he

gave proofs in all exercises among his