In this charitable office she was assisted by his godmother, Mrs.
Lloyd, who, while she lived, always looked upon him with that
tenderness which the barbarity of his mother made peculiarly
necessary; but her death, which happened in his tenth year, was
another of the misfortunes of his childhood, for though she kindly
endeavoured to alleviate his loss by a legacy of three hundred
pounds, yet as he had none to prosecute his claim, to shelter him
from oppression, or call in law to the assistance of justice, her
will was eluded by the executors, and no part of the money was ever
paid. He was, however, not yet wholly abandoned. The Lady Mason
still continued her care, and directed him to be placed at a small
grammar school near St. Albans, where he was called by the name of
his nurse, without the least intimation that he had a claim to any
other. Here he was initiated in literature, and passed through
several of the classes, with what rapidity or with what applause
cannot now be known. As he always spoke with respect of his master,
it is probable that the mean rank in which he then appeared did not
hinder his genius from being distinguished, or his industry from
being rewarded; and if in so low a state he obtained distinctions
and rewards, it is not likely that they were gained but by genius
and industry.

It is very reasonable to conjecture that his application was equal
to his abilities, because his improvement was more than proportioned
to the opportunities which he enjoyed; nor can it be doubted that if
his earliest productions had been preserved, like those of happier
students, we might in some have found vigorous sallies of that
sprightly humour which distinguishes "The Author to be Let," and in
others strong touches of that imagination which painted the solemn