favourite in Flanders. When Molesworth died, the same papers were
transferred with the same design to Sir Richard Steele, who, in some of
his exigencies, put them in pawn. They remained with the old duchess,
who in her will assigned the task to Glover and Mallet, with a reward
of a thousand pounds, and a prohibition to insert any verses. Glover
rejected, I suppose, with disdain, the legacy, and devolved the whole
work upon Mallet; who had from the late Duke of Marlborough a pension
to promote his industry, and who talked of the discoveries which he had
made; but left not, when he died, any historical labours behind him.
While he was in the Prince's service he published Mustapha with a
prologue by Thomson, not mean, but far inferior to that which he had
received from Mallet for Agamemnon. The epilogue, said to be written by
a friend, was composed in haste by Mallet, in the place of one promised,
which was never given. This tragedy was dedicated to the Prince his
master. It was acted at Drury Lane in 1739, and was well received, but
was never revived. In 1740 he produced, as has been already mentioned,
The Masque of Alfred, in conjunction with Thomson. For some time
afterwards he lay at rest. After a long interval his next work was
"Amyntor and Theodora" (1747), a long story in blank verse; in which
it cannot be denied that there is copiousness and elegance of language,
vigour of sentiment, and imagery well adapted to take possession of the
fancy. But it is blank verse. This he sold to Vaillant for one hundred
and twenty pounds. The first sale was not great, and it is now lost in
forgetfulness.

Mallet, by address or accident, perhaps by his dependence on the Prince,
found his way to Bolingbroke, a man whose pride and petulance made his
kindness difficult to gain or keep, and whom Mallet was content to court
by an act which I hope was unwillingly performed. When it was found that
Pope clandestinely printed an unauthorised pamphlet called the "Patriot
King," Bolingbroke in a fit of useless fury resolved to blast his
memory, and employed Mallet (1749) as the executioner of his vengeance.
Mallet had not virtue, or had not spirit, to refuse the office; and was
rewarded, not long after, with the legacy of Lord Bolingbroke's works.

Many of the political pieces had been written during the opposition to
Walpole, and given to Francklin, as he supposed, in perpetuity. These,
among the rest, were claimed by the will. The question