His time was spent in the prifon for the most part in ftudy, or in receiving vifits; but fometimes he defcended to lower amufements, and diverted himself in the kitchen with the converfation of the criminals; for it was not pleafing to him to be much without company; and though he was very capable of a judicious choice, he was often contented with the firft that offered: for this he was fometimes reproved by his friends, who found him furrounded with felons; but the reproof was on that, as on other occafions, thrown away; he continued to gratify himself, and to fet very little value on the opinion of others.

But here, as in every other scene of his life, he made ufe of fuch opportunities as occurred of benefiting those who were more miferable than himfelf, and was always ready to perform any office of humanity to his fellow-prifoners.

any

He had now ceafed from correfponding with of his fubfcribers except one, who yet continued to remit him the twenty pounds a year which he had promised him, and by

whom

whom it was expected that he would have been in a very fhort time enlarged, because he had directed the keeper to enquire after the ftate of his debts.

However, he took care to enter his name according to the forms of the court, that the creditor might be obliged to make him some allowance, if he was continued a prisoner, and when on that occafion he appeared in the hall was treated with very unusual respect.

But the refentment of the city was afterwards raised by fome accounts that had been fpread of the fatire, and he was informed that fome of the merchants intended to pay the allowance which the law required, and to detain him a prifoner at their own expence. This he treated as an empty menace; and perhaps might have hastened the publication, only to fhew how much he was fuperior to their infults, had not all his schemes been fuddenly destroyed.

When he had been fix months in prison, he received from one of his friends*,

• Mr. Pope.

in

whofe

*

whofe kindness he had the greateft confidence, and on whose affiftance he chiefly depended, a letter, that contained a charge of very atrocious ingratitude, drawn up in such terms as fudden refentment dictated. Mr. Savage returned a very folemn proteftation of his innocence, but however appeared much dif turbed at the accufation. Some days afterwards he was seized with a pain in his back and fide, which, as it was not violent, was not suspected to be dangerous; but growing daily more languid and dejected, on the 25th of July he confined himself to his room, and a fever feized his fpirits. The symptoms grew every day more formidable, but his condition did not enable him to procure any affiftance. The last time that the keeper faw him was on July the 31ft*; when Savage, seeing him at his bed-fide, faid, with an uncommon earnestness, "I have something to "fay to you, Sir;" but, after a pause, moved his hand in a melancholy manner; and, finding himself unable to recollect what he was going to communicate, faid, ""Tis gone!" The keeper foon after left him;

VOL. III.

* In 1743.

Bb

and

and the next morning he died. He was buried in the church-yard of St. Peter, at the expence of the keeper.

Such were the life and death of Richard Savage, a man equally diftinguished by his virtues and vices; and at once remarkable for his weakneffes and abilities.

He was of a middle ftature, of a thin habit of body, a long visage, coarse features, and melancholy afpect; of a grave and manly deportment, a folemn dignity of mien; but which, upon a nearer acquaintance, foftened into an engaging eafinefs of manners. His walk was flow, and his voice tremulous and mournful. He was easily excited to fmiles, but very seldom provoked to laughter.

His mind was in an uncommon degree vigorous and active. His judgement was accurate, his apprehenfion quick, and his me mory fo tenacious, that he was frequently obferved to know what he had learned from others in a fhort time, better than those by whom he was informed; and could frequently recollect incidents, with all their combi

nation of circumstances, which few would have regarded at the prefent time, but which the quickness of his apprehenfion impreffed upon him. He had the peculiar felicity, that his attention never deferted him; he was prefent to every object, and regardful of the moft trifling occurrences. He had the art of efcaping from his own reflections, and accommodating himself to every new scene.

To this quality is to be imputed the extent of his knowledge, compared with the small time which he spent in visible endeavours to acquire it. He mingled in curfory converfation with the same steadiness of attention as others" apply to a lecture; and, amidst the appearance of thoughtlefs gaiety, loft no new idea that was started, nor any hint that could be improved. He had therefore made in coffee-houses the same proficiency as in other studies; and it is remarkable, that the writings of a man of little education and little reading have an air of learning fcarcely to be found in any other performances, but which perhaps as often obfcures as embellishes them.