In 1753 he published his “Adventures of Count Fathom;” and, two years later, encouraged by a liberal subscription, he issued a translation of “Don Quixote,” in two quarto volumes.  While this work was printing, he went down to Scotland, visited his old scenes and old companions, and was received everywhere with enthusiasm.  The most striking incident, however, in this journey was his interview with his mother, then residing in Scotston, near Peebles.  He was introduced to her as a stranger gentleman from the West Indies; and, in order to retain his incognita, he endeavoured to maintain a serious and frowning countenance.  While his mother, however, continued to regard him steadfastly, he could not forbear smiling; and she instantly sprang from her seat, threw her arms round his neck, and cried out, “Ah, my son, I have found you at last!  Your old roguish smile has betrayed you.”

Returning to England, he resumed his literary avocations.  He became the editor of the Critical Review—­an office, of all others, least fitted to his testy and irritable temperament.  This was in 1756.  He next published the “Compendium of Voyages,” in seven volumes, 12mo.  In 1757 he wrote a popular afterpiece, entitled “The Reprisals; or, the Tars of England;” and in 1758 appeared his “Complete History of England,” in four volumes, quarto,—­a work said to have been compiled in the almost incredibly short time of fourteen months.  It became instantly popular, although distinguished by no real historical quality, except a clear and lively style.

An attack on Admiral Knowles in the Critical Review greatly incensed the Admiral; and when he prosecuted the journal, Smollett stepped forward and avowed himself the author.  He was sentenced to a fine of L100, and to three months’ imprisonment.  During his confinement in King’s Bench, he composed the “Adventures of Sir Lancelot Greaves,” which appeared first in detached numbers of the British Magazine, and was afterwards published separately in 1762.  About this time, his busy pen was also occupied with histories of France, Italy, Germany, &c., and a continuation of his English History—­all compilations—­and some of them exceedingly unworthy of his genius.  He became an ardent friend and supporter of Lord Bute, and started The Briton, a weekly paper, in his defence; which gave rise to the North Briton, by Wilkes.  In our Life of Churchill, we have recounted his quarrel with that poet, and the chastisement inflicted on Smollett in “The Apology to the Critical Reviewers.”

In 1763 he lost his only daughter, a girl of fifteen.  This event threw him into deep despondency, and seriously affected his health.  He went to France and Italy for two years; and on his return, in 1766, published two volumes of Travels—­full of querulous and captious remarks—­for which Sterne satirised him, under the name of Smelfungus.  The same year he again visited Scotland.  In 1767 he published