most certain which approach nearer to our own time. Out of this
story he formed a tragedy, which, if the circumstances in which he
wrote it be considered, will afford at once an uncommon proof of
strength of genius and evenness of mind, of a serenity not to be
ruffled and an imagination not to be suppressed.

During a considerable part of the time in which he was employed upon
this performance, he was without lodging, and often without meat;
nor had he any other conveniences for study than the fields or the
streets allowed him; there he used to walk and form his speeches,
and afterwards step into a shop, beg for a few moments the use of
the pen and ink, and write down what he had composed upon paper
which he had picked up by accident.

If the performance of a writer thus distressed is not perfect, its
faults ought surely to be imputed to a cause very different from
want of genius, and must rather excite pity than provoke censure.
But when, under these discouragements, the tragedy was finished,
there yet remained the labour of introducing it on the stage, an
undertaking which, to an ingenuous mind, was in a very high degree
vexatious and disgusting; for, having little interest or reputation,
he was obliged to submit himself wholly to the players, and admit,
with whatever reluctance, the emendations of Mr. Cibber, which he
always considered as the disgrace of his performance. He had,
indeed, in Mr. Hill another critic of a very different class, from
whose friendship he received great assistance on many occasions, and
whom he never mentioned but with the utmost tenderness and regard.
He had been for some time distinguished by him with very particular
kindness, and on this occasion it was natural to apply to him as an
author of an established character. He therefore sent this tragedy