it is probable that only
his death could have hindered him, is sufficient to show how much he
disregarded all considerations that opposed his present passions,
and how readily he hazarded all future advantages for any immediate
gratifications. Whatever was his predominant inclination, neither hope
nor fear hindered him from complying with it; nor had opposition any
other effect than to heighten his ardour and irritate his vehemence.

This performance was, however, laid aside while he was employed in
soliciting assistance from several great persons; and one interruption
succeeding another, hindered him from supplying the chasm, and perhaps
from retouching the other parts, which he can hardly be imagined to have
finished in his own opinion; for it is very unequal, and some of the
lines are rather inserted to rhyme to others, than to support or improve
the sense; but the first and last parts are worked up with great spirit
and elegance.

His time was spent in the prison for the most part in study, or in
receiving visits; but sometimes he descended to lower amusements, and
diverted himself in the kitchen with the conversation of the criminals;
for it was not pleasing to him to be much without company; and though he
was very capable of a judicious choice, he was often contented with the
first that offered. For this he was sometimes reproved by his friends,
who found him surrounded with felons; but the reproof was on that, as
on other occasions, thrown away; he continued to gratify himself, and
to set very little value on the opinion of others. But here, as in every
other scene of his life, he made use of such opportunities as occurred
of benefiting those who were more miserable than himself, and was always
ready to perform any office of humanity to his fellow-prisoners.

He had now ceased from corresponding with any of his subscribers except
one, who yet continued to remit him the twenty pounds a year which he
had promised him, and by whom it was expected that he would have been
in a very short time enlarged, because he had directed the keeper to
inquire after the state of his debts. However, he took care to enter
his name according to the forms of the court, that the creditor might be
obliged to make him some allowance, if he was continued a prisoner, and
when on that occasion he appeared in the hall, was treated with very
unusual respect. But the resentment of the city was afterwards raised
by some accounts that had bee