n
then received a present of twenty guineas, of which he gives this
account to Mr. Hill:--

"I hinted to you in my last that on Saturday morning I was with Sir
Spencer Compton. A certain gentleman, without my desire, spoke to him
concerning me: his answer was that I had never come near him. Then the
gentleman put the question, if he desired that I should wait on him? He
returned, he did. On this the gentleman gave me an introductory letter
to him. He received me in what they commonly call a civil manner; asked
me some common-place questions, and made me a present of twenty guineas.
I am very ready to own that the present was larger than my performance
deserved; and shall ascribe it to his generosity, or any other cause,
rather than the merit of the address."

The poem, which, being of a new kind, few would venture at first to
like, by degrees gained upon the public; and one edition was very
speedily succeeded by another.

Thomson's credit was now high, and every day brought him new friends;
among others Dr. Rundle, a man afterwards unfortunately famous, sought
his acquaintance, and found his qualities such that he recommended him
to the Lord Chancellor Talbot.

"Winter" was accompanied, in many editions, not only with a preface
and dedication, but with poetical praises by Mr. Hill, Mr. Mallet (then
Malloch), and Mira, the fictitious name of a lady once too well known.
Why the dedications are, to "Winter" and the other Seasons, contrarily
to custom, left out in the collected works, the reader may inquire.

The next year (1727) he distinguished himself by three publications: of
"Summer," in pursuance of his plan; of "A Poem on the Death of Sir Isaac
Newton," which he was enabled to perform as an exact philosopher by
the instruction of Mr. Gray; and of "Britannia," a kind of poetical
invective against the Ministry, whom the nation then thought not forward
enough in resenting the depredations of the Spaniards. By this piece
he declared himself an adherent to the Opposition, and had therefore no
favour to expect from the Court.

Thomson, having been some time entertained in the family of Lord
Binning, was desirous of testifying his gratitude by making him the
patron of his "Summer;" but the same kindness which had first disposed
Lord Binning to encourage him, determined him to refuse the dedication,
which was by his advice addressed to Mr. Dodington, a man who had more
power to advance the reputation and fortune of a