ous obfervations; the man whofe remarks on life might have affifted the statesman, whose ideas of virtue might have enlightened the moralift, whose eloquence might have influenced fenates, and whose delicacy might have polished courts. It cannot but be imagined that fuch neceffities might fometimes force him upon difreputable practices: and it is probable that these lines in The Wanderer were occafioned by his reflections on his own condu&t: Though mifery leads to happiness, and truth, Whoever was acquainted with him was certain to be folicited for small sums, which the frequency of the request made in time confiderable, and he was therefore quickly fhunned by those who were become familiar enough to be trufted with his neceffities; but his rambling manner of life, and conftant appearance appearance at houfes of public refort, always procured him a new fucceffion of friends, whofe kindnefs had not been exhaufted by repeated requefts; fo that he was feldom abfolutely without refources, but had in his utmost exigencies this comfort, that he always imagined himself fure of speedy relief It was observed, that he always asked favours of this kind without the leaft fubmiffion or apparent confcioufnefs of dependence, and that he did not feem to look upon a compliance with his request as an obligation that deferved any extraordinary acknowledgements; but a refufal was refented by him as an affront, or complained of as an injury; nor did he readily reconcile himself to those who either denied to lend, or gave him afterwards any intimation that they expected to be repaid. t . He was fometimes fo far compaffionated by those who knew both his merit and diftreffes, that they received him into their families, but they foon discovered him to be a very incommodious inmate; for, being al ways ways accustomed to an irregular manner of life, he could not confine himself to any ftated hours, or pay any regard to the rules of a family, but would prolong his converfation till midnight, without confidering that business might require his friend's application in the morning; and, when he had perfuaded himself to retire to bed, was not, without equal difficulty, called up to dinner; it was therefore impoffible to pay him any diftinc tion without the entire fubverfion of all œconomy, a kind of eftablishment which, wherever he went, he always appeared ambitious to overthrow.. It must therefore be acknowledged, in juftification of mankind, that it was not always by the negligence or coldness of his friends that Savage was diftreffed, but becaufe it was in reality very difficult to preferve him long in a state of eafe. To fupply him with money was a hopeless attempt; for no fooner did he fee himself master of a fum fufficient to fet him free from care for a day, than he became profufe and luxurious. When once he had entered a tavern, or engaged in a fcheme of pleasure, he never retired till want of of money obliged him to some new expedient. If he was entertained in a family, nothing was any longer to be regarded there but amusements and jollity; wherever Savage entered, he immediately expected that order and bufinefs fhould fly before him, that all fhould thenceforward be left to hazard, and that no dull principle of domestic management should be opposed to his inclination, or intrude upon his gaiety. His diftreffes, however afflictive, never dejected him; in his lowest state he wanted not spirit to affert the natural dignity of wit, and was always ready to reprefs that infolence which fuperiority of fortune incited, and to trample on that reputation which rose upon any other bafis than that of merit: he never admitted any grofs familiarities, or fubmitted to be treated otherwife than as an equal. Once, when he was without lodging, meat, or clothes, one of his friends, a man not indeed remarkable for moderation in his profperity, left a meffage, that he defired to fee him about nine in the morning. Savage knew that his intention was to affift him; but was very much disgusted that he should pre fume fume to prescribe the hour of his attendance, and, I believe, refused to vifit him, and rejected his kindness. The fame invincible temper, whether firmness or obftinacy, appeared in his conduct to the Lord Tyrconnel, from whom he very frequently demanded, that the allowance which was once paid him should be restored; but with whom he never appeared to entertain for a moment the thought of foliciting a reconciliation, and whom he treated at once with all the haughtiness of fuperiority, and all the bitternefs of refentment. wrote to him, not in a style of supplication or refpect, but of reproach, menace, and contempt; and appeared determined, if he ever regained his allowance, to hold it only by the right of conquest. He Ás many more can difcover, that a man is richer than that he is wifer than themselves, fuperiority of understanding is not fo readily acknowledged as that of fortune; nor is that haughtiness, which the consciousness of great abilities incites, borne with the fame fubmif VOL. III. Y fion |