lowed 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 to him, with a short copy of verses, in
which he desired his correction. Mr. Hill, whose humanity and politeness
are generally known, readily complied with his request; but as he
is remarkable for singularity of sentiment, and bold experiments in
language, Mr. Savage did not think this play much improved by his
innovation, and had even at that time the courage to reject several
passages which he could not approve; and, what is still more
laudable, Mr. Hill had the generosity not to resent the neglect of his
alterations, but wrote the prologue and epilogue, in which he touches on
the circumstances of the author with great tenderness.

After all these obstructions and compliances, he was only able to
bring his play upon the stage in the summer, when the chief actors had
retired, and the rest were in possession of the house for their own
advantage. Among these, Mr. Savage was admitted to play the part of Sir
Thomas Overbury, by which he gained no great reputation, the theatre
being a province for which nature seems not to have designed him; for
neither his voice, look, nor gesture were such as were expected on the
stage, and he was so much ashamed of having b