when he says of Savage, "Those are no proper judges of his conduct,
who have slumbered away their time on the down of plenty; nor will
any wise man easily presume to say, 'Had I been in Savage's
condition, I should have lived or written better than Savage.'" But
Johnson, who made large allowance for temptations pressing on the
poor, himself suffered and overcame the hardest trials, firm always
to his duty, true servant of God and friend of man.

Richard Savage's whole public life was built upon a lie. His base
nature foiled any attempt made to befriend him; and the friends he
lost, he slandered; Richard Steele among them. Samuel Johnson was a
friend easy to make, and difficult to lose. There was no money to
be got from him, for he was altogether poor in everything but the
large spirit of human kindness. Savage drew largely on him for
sympathy, and had it; although Johnson was too clear-sighted to be
much deceived except in judgment upon the fraudulent claims which
then gave rise to division of opinion. The Life of Savage is a
noble piece of truth, although it rests on faith put in a fraud.

H. M.



ADDISON.



Joseph Addison was born on the 1st of May, 1672, at Milston, of
which his father, Lancelot Addison, was then rector, near
Ambrosebury, in Wiltshire, and, appearing weak and unlikely to live,