Encouraged by a liberal subscription, Smollett pub lished. in 1795, a new translation of the History of the renowned Don Quixote, from the Spanish, ,S•e. illustrat ed with 28 new copperplates, in 2 vols. 4to. When this work was printed, he made a visit to Scotland, to visit his mother, who then resided at Scotston in Peeblesshire; and lie took an opportunity of visiting various parts of his native country, particularly the vicinity of Glasgow, the scene of his early affections, where he spent two days with Dr. Moore, then an emi nent surgeon in that city.
When he returned to London, lie was induced to take the chief management of the Critical Review, a new literary Journal, which began in 1756 under the patronage of the tories, and in opposition to the Monthly Review, which had commenced in 1749. His next work was, 3 Compendium of and En tertaining Voyages, digested in a Chronological Series, in 7 vols. 12mo.
In 1757, when a stain had been left on the courage of England, our author wrote the Reprisal, or the Tars of Ohl Eizgland, an after-piece in two acts, intended to excite the national spirit. It was favourably re ceived at Drury Lane, and is still a favourite on the stage.
Early in 1758, Smollett gave to the world his Com History of England, deduced from the descent of Julius Cxsar to the treaty of dlix la Chapelle in 1748, in four vols. 4to. This work is said to have been composed and printed in fourteen months, a mental effort almost unrivalled. It was reprinted in the fol lowing year in eleven vols. 8vo. and the weekly sale was above 10,000.
When Sir John Mordaunt was tried for his unsuc cessful expedition against Rochefort in 1757, some blame was cast upon Admiral Knowles, who defend ed himself in a pamphlet bearing his name. This pamphlet was reviewed in the Critical Review with such improper acrimony, that the Admiral prosecuted the printer for a libel. When sentence was about to be pronounced against the printer, Smollett avow ed himself the author, and was sentenced to a fine of X100 and three months imprisonment. This spirited conduct on the part of our author was highly applaud ed, and he was visited in the King's Bench prison by many of the most distinguished characters of the day.
During his confinement he composed his .thlventures of Sir Lancelot Greaves, which first appeared in de tached portions in the monthly numbers of the British Magazine for 1760 and 1761, hut it was afterwards published separately in two vols. in 1762. About this time lie wrote the histories of France, Italy and Ger many, for the modern part of the Universal History; and in 1761, 1762 and 1765, he published, in five vo lumes, his Continuation of the _History of England down to 1765.
The unpopular administration of Lord Bute was na turally defended by Smollett, when he perceived that its unpopularity was in some measure owing to the premier being a Scotsman. For this purpose he es
tablished a weekly paper called the Briton, which gave rise to the North Briton, under the management of the celebrated Wilkes.
In 1763 our author had the misfortune to lose his only daughter, who died in the fifteenth year of her age, and left him in a state of hopeless despondency. The state of his own health, which too assiduous study had impaired, combined with this domestic calamity, induced him to quit England for a milder climate. He accordingly spent about two years in France and Italy, and on his return in 1766, lie pub lished his Travels through France and Italy, contain ing Observations on Character, Customs. Religion, Go vernment, 4.e. with an account of the Climate of Nice, and a Register of the Weather, in 2 vols. 8vo.
Having arrived in Edinburgh in the beginning of 1776, and spent some time with his mother, lie went to Glasgow and made to his cousin Mr. Smol lett of Bonhill. At this time he was distressed with rheumatism and an ulcer in his arm. He left Scot land in August without much change upon his health, and spent the winter in Bath. Here his ulcer assumed an alarming appearance, but by mercurial applica tions, and corrosive sublimate taken internally, a cure almost'miraculous was quickly effected.
Thus restored to health, he resumed his laborious toils, and in 1767 he published his History and „Veen lures of an .Dom, in two vols. 12mo.,,a political ro mance, supposed to be written in 1768. and display ing. under Japanese names the different party men in Great Britain from 1756 to 1761.
A recurrence of his ill health induced Dr. strong and his other friends to recommend a journey to Italy; and from the inadequacy of his pecuniary re sources, they applied to government for the office of consul at Nice, Naples, or Leghorn. Even this pal try situation was refused by the government of Bri tain to one of the most of her citizens, though it was asked not as a promotion to administer to his luxuries, but as a medicine to preserve his life. The minister who thus dared to insult the sufferings of genius, and to bring discredit upon the character of his sovereign and his country, merits what he will receive, the indignation of future ages. The govern ment who had refused this pittance to a man whose name will throw a lustre over England when oblivion has mercifully withdrawn theirs from execration, had heen supported in office by his wit and argument, and the only blame which they could lay to his charge was, that he refused to degrade himself by the sacrifice of his independence.