nd
to his life, August 27, 1748. He was buried in the church of Richmond,
without an inscription; but a monument has been erected to his memory in
Westminster Abbey.

Thomson was of stature above the middle size, and "more fat than bard
beseems," of a dull countenance and a gross, unanimated, uninviting
appearance; silent in mingled company, but cheerful among select
friends, and by his friends very tenderly and warmly beloved. He left
behind him the tragedy of Coriolanus, which was, by the zeal of his
patron, Sir George Lyttelton, brought upon the stage for the benefit
of his family, and recommended by a prologue, which Quin, who had long
lived with Thomson in fond intimacy, spoke in such a manner as showed
him "to be," on that occasion, "no actor." The commencement of this
benevolence is very honourable to Quin, who is reported to have
delivered Thomson, then known to him only for his genius, from an arrest
by a very considerable present; and its continuance is honourable to
both, for friendship is not always the sequel of obligation. By this
tragedy a considerable sum was raised, of which part discharged his
debts, and the rest was remitted to his sisters, whom, however removed
from them by place or condition, he regarded with great tenderness,
as will appear by the following letter, which I communicate with
much pleasure, as it gives me at once an opportunity of recording the
fraternal kindness of Thomson, and reflecting on the friendly assistance
of Mr. Boswell, from whom I received it:--

"Hagley in Worcestershire, October the 4th, 1747.

"My Dear Sister,--I thought you had known me better than to interpret
my silence into a decay of affection, especially as your behaviour has
always been such as rather to increase than diminish it. Don't imagine,
because I am a bad correspondent, that I can ever prove an unkind friend
and brother. I must do myself the justice to tell you that my affections
are naturally very fixed and constant; and if I had ever reason of
complaint against you (of which, by-the-bye, I have not the least
shadow), I am conscious of so many defects in myself as dispose me to be
not a little charitable and forgiving.

"It gives me the truest heart-felt satisfaction to hear you have a good
kind husband, and are in easy contented circumstances; but were they
otherwise, that would only awaken and heighten my tenderness towards
you. As our good and tender-hearted parents did not live to receive