circumstances of his connection with and ultimate marriage to Mary Wollstonecraft showed at least that he had the courage of his opinions.  His Enquiry concerning Political Justice (1793) made him famous.  A year later he pub. his masterpiece, Caleb Williams, a novel exhibiting a sombre strength rarely equalled.  The next few years were occupied in political controversy, for which G. was, by his sincerity and his masculine style, well fitted; and it was in the midst of these—­in 1797—­that his first marriage, already alluded to, and the death of his wife, of whom he pub. a singular but interesting Life, occurred.  In 1799 his second great novel, St. Leon, based upon the philosopher’s stone and the elixir of life, appeared.  His other novels, Fleetwood (1804), Mandeville (1817), and Cloudesley (1830), are much inferior.  In addition to these works G. brought out an elaborate Life of Chaucer in 2 vols. (1803), An Essay on Sepulchres (1808), containing much fine thought finely expressed, A History of the Commonwealth, an Essay against the theories of Malthus (q.v.), and his last work, Lives of the Necromancers.  For some time he engaged in the publishing business, in which, however, he ultimately proved unsuccessful.  In his later years he had the office of Yeoman Usher of the Exchequer conferred upon him.  G. entered in 1801 into a second marriage with a widow, Mrs. Clairmont, by whom he had a dau. This lady had already a s. and dau., the latter of whom had an irregular connection with Byron.  His dau. by his first marriage—­Mary Wollstonecraft G.,—­became in 1816 the wife of Shelley.  G. was a man of simple manners and imperturbable temper.

GOLDING, ARTHUR (1535?-1605?).—­Translator, s. of a gentleman of Essex, was perhaps at Camb., and was diligent in the translation of theological works by Calvin, Beza, and others, but is chiefly remembered for his versions of Caesar’s Commentaries (1565), and specially of Ovid’s Metamorphoses (1565-67), the latter in ballad metre.  He also translated Justin’s History, and part of Seneca.

GOLDSMITH, OLIVER (1728-1774).—­Poet, dramatist, and essayist, s. of an Irish clergyman, was b. at Pallasmore in Co.  Longford.  His early education was received at various schools at Elphin, Athlone, and Edgeworthstown.  At the age of 8 he had a severe attack of smallpox which disfigured him for life.  In 1744 he went to Trinity Coll., Dublin, whence, having come into collision with one of the coll. tutors, he ran away in 1746.  He was, however, induced to return, and grad. in 1749.  The Church was chosen for him as a profession—­against his will be it said in justice to him.  He presented himself before the Bishop of Elphin for examination—­perhaps as a type of deeper and more inward incongruencies—­in scarlet breeches, and was rejected.  He next figured