came to him from his college without any favour, and to which he
probably had an eye when he determined on the Church. To satisfy
curiosity of this kind is, at this distance of time, far from easy.
The parties themselves know not often, at the instant, why they are
neglected, or why they are preferred. The neglect of Young is by
some ascribed to his having attached himself to the Prince of Wales,
and to his having preached an offensive sermon at St. James's. It
has been told me that he had two hundred a year in the late reign,
by the patronage of Walpole; and that, whenever any one reminded the
king of Young, the only answer was, "he has a pension." All the
light thrown on this inquiry, by the following letter from Secker,
only serves to show at what a late period of life the author of the
"Night Thoughts" solicited preferment:--

"Deanery of St. Paul's, July 8, 1758.

"GOOD DR. YOUNG,--I have long wondered that more suitable notice of
your great merit hath not been taken by persons in power. But how
to remedy the omission I see not. No encouragement hath ever been
given me to mention things of this nature to his majesty. And
therefore, in all likelihood, the only consequence of doing it would
be weakening the little influence which else I may possibly have on
some other occasions. Your fortune and your reputation set you
above the need of advancement; and your sentiments, above that
concern for it, on your own account, which, on that of the public,
is sincerely felt by
"Your loving Brother, THO. CANT."

At last, at the age of fourscore, he was appointed, in 1761, Clerk
of the Closet to the Princess Dowager. One obstacle must have stood