time Pope, whom he visited familiarly, published his "Essay on Man," but
concealed the author; and, when Mallet entered one day, Pope asked him
slightly what there was new. Mallet told him that the newest piece was
something called an "Essay on Man," which he had inspected idly, and
seeing the utter inability of the author, who had neither skill in
writing nor knowledge of the subject, had tossed it away. Pope, to
punish his self-conceit, told him the secret.

A new edition of the works of Bacon being prepared (1740) for the
press, Mallet was employed to prefix a Life, which he has written with
elegance, perhaps with some affectation; but with so much more knowledge
of history than of science, that, when he afterwards undertook the "Life
of Marlborough," Warburton remarked that he might perhaps forget
that Marlborough was a general, as he had forgotten that Bacon was a
philosopher.

When the Prince of Wales was driven from the palace, and, setting
himself at the head of the opposition, kept a separate court, he
endeavoured to increase his popularity by the patronage of literature,
and made Mallet his under-secretary, with a salary of two hundred pounds
a year; Thomson likewise had a pension; and they were associated in the
composition of The Masque of Alfred, which in its original state was
played at Cliefden in 1740; it was afterwards almost wholly changed by
Mallet, and brought upon the stage at Drury Lane in 1751, but with
no great success. Mallet, in a familiar conversation with Garrick,
discoursing of the diligence which he was then exerting upon the "Life
of Marlborough," let him know that in the series of great men quickly to
be exhibited he should FIND A NICHE for the hero of the theatre. Garrick
professed to wonder by what artifice he could be introduced: but Mallet
let him know that, by a dexterous anticipation, he should fix him in
a conspicuous place. "Mr. Mallet," says Garrick, in his gratitude of
exultation, "have you left off to write for the stage?" Mallet then
confessed that he had a drama in his hands. Garrick promised to act it;
and "Alfred" was produced.

The long retardation of the life of the Duke of Marlborough shows, with
strong conviction, how little confidence can be placed on posthumous
renown. When he died, it was soon determined that his story should be
delivered to posterity; and the papers supposed to contain the necessary
information were delivered to Lord Molesworth, who had been his