cured this performance a very favourable re ception; great numbers were immediately dispersed, and editions were multiplied with unusual rapidity,

One circumstance attended the publication, which Savage used to relate with great fatisfaction. His mother, to whom the poem was with "due reverence" infcribed, happened then to be at Bath, where fhe could not conveniently retire from cenfure, or conceal herself from obfervation; and no fooner did the reputation of the poem begin to spread, than she heard it repeated in all places of concourse, nor could fhe enter the affembly-rooms, or cross the walks, without being faluted with fome lines from The Baftard,

1

This was perhaps the first time that ever fhe discovered a sense of fhame, and on this occafion the power of wit was very confpicuous; the wretch who had, without fcruple, proclaimed herself an adulteress, and who had firft endeavoured to ftarve her fon, then to transport him, and afterwards to hang him, was not able to bear the representation of her own conduct; but fled from reproach, though

fhe

fhe felt no pain from guilt, and left Bath with the utmost hafte, to fhelter herself among the crowds of London.

Thus Savage had the fatisfaction of finding, that, though he could not reform his mother, he could punish her, and that he did not always fuffer alone.

The pleasure which he received from this increase of his poetical reputation, was sufficient for fome time to overbalance the miseries of want, which this performance did not much alleviate; for it was fold for a very trivial sum to a bookseller, who, though the fuccefs was fo uncommon that five impreffions were fold, of which many were undoubtedly very numerous, had not generosity fufficient to admit the unhappy writer to any part of the profit,

The fale of this poem was always mentioned by Savage with the utmost elevation of heart, and referred to by him as an incontestable proof of a general acknowledgement of his abilities. It was indeed the only production of which he could justly boast a general reception.

But

But though he did not lofe the opportu nity which fuccefs gave him, of setting a high rate on his abilities, but paid due defer rence to the fuffrages of mankind when they were given in his favour, he did not fuffer his esteem of himfelf to depend upon others, nor found any thing facred in the voice of the people when they were inclined to cenfure him; he then readily fhewed the folly of expecting that the publick should, judge right, observed how flowly poetical merit had often forced its way into the world; he contented himself with the applause of men of judgement, and was fomewhat disposed to exclude all thofe from the character of inen of judgement who did not applaud him.

But he was at other times more favourable to mankind than to think them blind to the beauties of his works, and imputed the flownefs of their fale to other caufcs; either they were published at a time when the town was empty, or when the attention of the publick was engroffed by fome struggle in the parliament, or fome other object of general concern; or they were by the neglect of the publisher not diligently difperfed, or by his

avarice

avarice not advertised with fufficient frequency. Addrefs, or industry, or liberality, was always wanting; and the blame was laid rather on any person than the author.

By arts like thefe, arts which every man practises in fome degree, and to which too much of the little tranquillity of life is to be afcribed, Savage was always able to live at peace with himself. Had he indeed only made use of thefe expedients to alleviate the lofs or want of fortune or reputation, or any other advantages, which it is not in man's power to bestow upon himself, they might have been juftly mentioned as instances of a philofophical mind, and very properly propofed to the imitation of multitudes, who, for want of diverting their imaginations with the fame dexterity, languifh under afflictions which might be eafily removed.

It were doubtless to be wifhed, that truth and reason were univerfally prevalent; that every thing were esteemed according to its real value; and that men would secure themfelves from being disappointed in their endeavours after happiness, by placing it only

in

in virtue, which is always to be obtained but if adventitious and foreign pleasures must be pursued, it would be perhaps of fome benefit, fince that purfuit must frequently be fruitlefs, if the practice of Savage could be taught, that folly might be an antidote to folly, and one fallacy be obviated by another.

But the danger of this pleafing intoxication must not be concealed; nor indeed can any one, after having obferved the life of Savage, need to be cautioned against it. By imputing none of his miferies to himself, he continued to act upon the fame principles, and to follow the fame path; was never made wifer by his fufferings, nor preserved by one misfortune from falling into another. He proceeded throughout his life to tread the fame fteps on the fame circle; always applauding his paft conduct, or at least forgetting it, to amufe himself with phantoms of happiness, which were dancing before him; and willingly turned his eyes from the light of reafon, when it would have discovered the illufion, and fhewn him, what he never wished to fee, his real state.

He