Written by R.W. Hobbs.
The Versatile, Improvident and Charming
'Careless their merits or their faults to scan,
His pity gave ere charity began'

Played by The Station Radio Players
Songs by Kenneth Ellis (Bass)

Scene 1.
Characters: Goldsmith; The Landlady; Jemmy (The Bailiff's Man); Dr. Johnson
Goldsmith's indifferently-furnished lodgings; articles of clothing, books and sheets of paper litter the floor and furniture. He is sitting alone in this shabby room, vaguely playing some lugubrious tune on his flute. Every now and then he stops to mutter savage objurgations against his landlady. This sorely-tried woman enters, accompanied by the bailiff's man, who points at Goldsmith and speaks.
Incidental Music:
Characters: Goldsmith; O'Donovan; Edmund Burke; Boswell; Dr. Johnson; A Street Musician; An Impertinent Fellow

Scene 2
Elaborate chambers in Brick Court. Goldsmith, now forty years old, has at last achieved success. His comedy, The Good-Natured Man, has been well received by the public, while the 'Vicar of Wakefield' and 'The Traveller' are both working their way among the most discriminating readers. Consequently, the author has Five Hundred Pounds in his pockets - at least for a few days. He quickly changes his mode of living for something more luxurious, and promptly puts out Four Hundred in this suite of rooms in the Middle Temple. Here he entertains freely and becomes a ready prey to all manner of spongers, one of whom, a Mr. O'Donovan, is pouring forth congratulations upon the successful author's rise in the world as the scene opens.

Scene 3
Characters: A Flower Girl; Goldsmith: Reynolds; Dr. Johnson
Ranelagh Gardens. A warm friendship has grown up between Goldsmith and Reynolds, and the two are often to be seen together at Ranelagh and Vauxhall, where they listen to the music, meet friends and enjoy the general gaiety of the scene. Flower girls are crying their wares as the two men enter the grounds.

Scene 4
Characters: Reynolds; Bob (a Servant); Goldsmith; Boswell
A Large room in Sir Joshua Reynolds's house, some twenty guests are assembled round his long table and are making a good deal of noise, calling for food and drinks. There is a shortage of table-ware and much merriment is occasioned by the general scramble. Now and again Reynolds upbraids a servant for his inattention to the guests.

Incidental Music