recommendations to several persons of consequence, but they were stolen from his pocket, as he passed along the street with more curiosity than circumspection.

For the supply of all his necessities his only fund was his Winter, which for a time could not find a purchaser; at last Mr. Millar was persuaded to buy it at a low price; and Mr. Whately, having by chance turned his eye upon it, was so delighted with the performance, that he ran, it is said, from place to place celebrating its excellence. Thomson obtained likewise about this time the notice of Aaron Hill.

Winter was dedicated to Sir Spencer Compton; but it was only after Aaron Hill had awakened his attention, by some verses inserted in one of the news

papers, censuring the great for their neglect of men of genius, that he bestowed any reward upon the author; who at last received a present of twenty guineas for the performance, which gained so much upon the public that one edition was soon succeeded by another.

Thomson's reputation being now established, every day brought him new friends: among others Dr. Rundle, afterwards bishop of Derry, sought his acquaintance, and recommended him to the lord chancellor Talbot; who soon after entrusted him with the care of his eldest son, Mr. Charles Talbot, during his travels abroad.

The year following the publication of his Winter (1727), Thomson distinguished himself by several productions; viz. Summer, in pursuance of his plan;

A poem on the death of Sir Isaac Newton, which he was enabled to perform as an exact philosopher by the assistance of Mr. Gray of Richmond; Britannia, a kind of poetical invective against the ministry, whom the nation did not think forward enough in resenting the depredations of the Spaniards; and Sophonisba, a tragedy, which did not answer the expectations raised by the rehearsal. Slight accidents have been sufficient to endanger the success of better works; and a waggish parody made upon a feeble line of Thomson's play probably contributed to the little success it had upon the stage. Of the prologue to this piece the first part is said to have been written by Pope, who could not be persuaded to finish it; and that the concluding lines were added by Mallet.

Spring appeared in 1728; but Autumn, which remained unsung, was delayed till 1730; when Thomson published his works collected.

His next performance was a long poem on liberty, which is very little regarded, although the author considered it as his noblest work. It does not now appear in its original state; but, after his death, was shortened by sir George Lyttelton, with a liberty which Dr. Johnson justly condemns, as tending to destroy the confidence of society, and confound the characters of authors.

Thomson had been rewarded for his attendance upon Mr.Talbot by the place of secretary of the briefs, which he did not, however, long enjoy. On the death of the lord chancellor it became vacant; and, as Thomson would not solicit for it, it was given to another.

After having for some time lived in ease and affluence, which seems to have produced some intermission in his poetical labours, he was reduced again to indigence; when the Prince of Wales, through the influence of Mr. Lyttelton, bestowed upon him a pension of 1007. a year.

Being now obliged to write, he produced (1738) the tragedy of Agamem non, which was barely endured upon the stage, notwithstanding the countenance of Pope; who, entertaining a great regard for Thomson, came to witness the first representation, and was welcomed to the theatre by the general applause of the audience.

About this time the act was passed for licensing plays; and one of its first operations was the refusal of Edward and