Pope, who then filled the poetical throne without a rival, it may
reasonably be presumed, must have been particularly struck by the sudden
appearance of such a poet; and, to his credit, let it be remembered,
that his feelings and conduct on the occasion were candid and liberal.
He requested Mr. Richardson, son of the painter, to endeavour to find
out who this new authour was. Mr. Richardson, after some inquiry, having
informed him that he had discovered only that his name was Johnson, and
that he was some obscure man, Pope said; 'he will soon be deterre.' We
shall presently see, from a note written by Pope, that he was himself
afterwards more successful in his inquiries than his friend.

While we admire the poetical excellence of this poem, candour obliges us
to allow, that the flame of patriotism and zeal for popular resistance
with which it is fraught, had no just cause. There was, in truth, no
'oppression;' the 'nation' was NOT 'cheated.' Sir Robert Walpole was
a wise and a benevolent minister, who thought that the happiness and
prosperity of a commercial country like ours, would be best promoted by
peace, which he accordingly maintained, with credit, during a very long
period. Johnson himself afterwards honestly acknowledged the merit
of Walpole, whom he called 'a fixed star;' while he characterised his
opponent, Pitt, as 'a meteor.' But Johnson's juvenile poem was naturally
impregnated with the fire of opposition, and upon every account was
universally admired.

Though thus elevated into fame, and conscious of uncommon powers, he
had not that bustling confidence, or, I may rather say, that animated
ambition, which one might have supposed would have urged him to
endeavour at rising in life. But such was his inflexible dignity of
character, that he could not stoop to court the great; without which,