n spread of the satire; and he was informed
that some of the merchants intended to pay the allowance which the law
required, and to detain him a prisoner at their own expense. This
he treated as an empty menace; and perhaps might have hastened the
publication, only to show how much he was superior to their insults, had
not all his schemes been suddenly destroyed.

When he had been six months in prison, he received from one of his
friends, in whose kindness he had the greatest confidence, and on whose
assistance he chiefly depended, a letter that contained a charge of
very atrocious ingratitude, drawn up in such terms as sudden resentment
dictated. Henley, in one of his advertisements, had mentioned "Pope's
treatment of Savage." This was supposed by Pope to be the consequence of
a complaint made by Savage to Henley, and was therefore mentioned by him
with much resentment. Mr. Savage returned a very solemn protestation of
his innocence, but, however, appeared much disturbed at the accusation.
Some days afterwards he was seized with a pain in his back and side,
which, as it was not violent, was not suspected to be dangerous; but
growing daily more languid and dejected, on the 25th of July he confined
himself to his room, and a fever seized his spirits. The symptoms grew
every day more formidable, but his condition did not enable him to
procure any assistance. The last time that the keeper saw him was on
July the 31st, 1743; when Savage, seeing him at his bedside, said, with
an uncommon earnestness, "I have something to say to you, sir;" but,
after a pause, moved his hand in a melancholy manner; and, finding
himself unable to recollect what he was going to communicate, said,
"'Tis gone!" The keeper soon after left him; and the next morning he
died. He was buried in the churchyard of St. Peter, at the expense of
the keeper.

Such were the life and death of Richard Savage, a man equally
distinguished by his virtues and vices; and at once remarkable for his
weaknesses and abilities. He was of a middle stature, of a thin habit of
body, a long visage, coarse features, and melancholy aspect; of a grave
and manly deportment, a solemn dignity of mien, but which, upon a nearer
acquaintance, softened into an engaging easiness of manners. His walk
was slow, and his voice tremulous and mournful. He was easily excited
to smiles, but very seldom provoked to laughter. His mind was in an
uncommon degree vigorous and active. His judgment w