expectation that every rehearsal was dignified with a splendid
audience, collected to anticipate the delight that was preparing for
the public. It was observed, however, that nobody was much
affected, and that the company rose as from a moral lecture. It had
upon the stage no unusual degree of success. Slight accidents will
operate upon the taste of pleasure. There is a feeble line in the
play:--

"O Sophonisba, Sophonisba, O!"

This gave occasion to a waggish parody--

"O, Jemmy Thomson, Jemmy Thomson, O!"

which for a while was echoed through the town.

I have been told by Savage, that of the prologue to Sophonisba, the
first part was written by Pope, who could not be persuaded to finish
it; and that the concluding lines were added by Mallet.

Thomson was not long afterwards, by the influence of Dr. Rundle,
sent to travel with Mr. Charles Talbot, the eldest son of the
Chancellor. He was yet young enough to receive new impressions, to
have his opinions rectified and his views enlarged; nor can he be
supposed to have wanted that curiosity which is inseparable from an
active and comprehensive mind. He may therefore now be supposed to
have revelled in all the joys of intellectual luxury; he was every
day feasted with instructive novelties; he lived splendidly without
expense: and might expect when he returned home a certain
establishment.